Marché du Carrei (Les Halles de Menton)
Tucked into a handsome covered hall on the edge of the old town, Menton's daily morning market is where locals have shopped for generations. Stalls overflow with the town's famous lemons, violet artichokes, socca and cheeses that smell of Alpine pastures.
What to buy and taste
Menton's AOC lemon — rounder, less acidic and more fragrant than a standard Eureka — is the star of the show. Vendors sell them by the kilo alongside limoncello, lemon jam, lemon-infused olive oil and candied peel that makes a perfect edible souvenir that travels well.
Don't skip the charcuterie stalls stocked with lonzu and coppa from just across the Italian border, or the fishmonger whose catch arrived that morning from the Ligurian Sea. A paper cone of freshly fried panisse from a stall near the entrance costs about €2 and is the ideal breakfast.
Timing your visit
The market runs every morning except Monday, with Saturday being the busiest and most atmospheric day when farmers drive down from the surrounding hills. Arrive before 9:00 to beat the heat and get first pick of the seasonal produce.
The covered hall sits on Place du Marché, a five-minute walk from the train station. A ring of outdoor vendors spills onto the surrounding streets, selling flowers, dried herbs and household goods — it's a full sensory loop worth at least an hour.
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