Vieux Château street

This is the street where you can really feel the medieval soul of Menton, a town that began to take shape in the 12th century. With its narrow alleyways and tightly packed, colourful houses, this neighbourhood is not only the oldest in the city—it’s also one of the most charming. As you explore, you’ll notice street names like Lampedusa, Capodana, and Acquasoma. According to legend, these names come from three famous Mediterranean pirates who are said to have founded the city of Menton. A little further uphill on your left, you’ll spot the Vieux Château Cemetery, Menton’s first cemetery, built in the early 1800s on the ruins of a 13th-century castle. Although nothing remains of the château today, the cemetery itself is stunning, perched high above the town with breathtaking views of the coastline and mountains. It’s even considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in France and was praised by two great 19th-century French writers, Gustave Flaubert and Guy de Maupassant, after they visited Menton. But for now, let’s get back to the winding streets of the old town. Feel free to wander and lose yourself a little—but don’t be surprised if you hit a few dead ends along the way! These narrow lanes were actually designed like this back in the 15th century, on purpose, to help defend the town from invasions. Pretty clever, right?