When life gives you lemons…
We had big plans for Menton after reading the Procedimus Una details and hearing rave reviews from my friend Bruce.
After arriving in Menton on a Friday morning, we found out that Thursday night the mayor had pulled the plug on the 87th annual Fete du Citron due to coronavirus.
Streets lined with empty grandstands, huge lemon sculptures/floats sitting behind locked gates, and lost-looking tourists wandering aimlessly are the order of the day. We had rented an apartment looking directly down at the parade route in anticipation of party awesomeness, however it was not to be.
All is not lost though, most of the lemon sculptures are so huge that you can see them above the walls, and there are a few others sprinkled around the city.
Menton is also a beautiful coastal town, with Mediterranean hues and gorgeous beaches. Add in small winding back streets and the ability to sneak away from the other tourists, and it makes a great weekend getaway even without lemonade!
BAM!
Now that’s serious color in your face!
Proof
Welcome to Menton!
Thin Blue Line
Like a small boat on the ocean. Sending big waves into motion. Like how a single word, can make a heart open. I might only have one match, but I can make an explosion. Rachel Platten – Fight Song.
Racist Float
I’m pretty sure that this float is racist/nationalist/whatever – I think that this is what everybody else in the world thinks when they think of Germans. While the outfit is certainly Bavarian, there’s a whole bunch of other Germans that are probably offended
Dia De Los Muertos
This float belongs at Carneval or Dia De Los Muertos festivals in Mexico!
Doughboy
We didn’t see this ship’s captain, but I’m wondering whether the name refers to the boat or the owner.
Southern California Sunset
Sunset straight outta SoCal.
Welcome. Not Welcome!
Welcome to the 87th Fete du Citron! Unfortunately due to coronavirus, you are not welcome here.
Handiwork
Every bit of yellow is a lemon painstakingly rubber-banded into place on chicken wire frames! The time and effort to build and maintain these floats is tremendous with 5 people dedicated to removing/replacing spoiled fruit every day.
After Dark
We love exploring the nooks and crannies of daily life once all the tourists are gone.
Riviera Postcard
This looks straight off a French Riviera postcard
Color Clusters
A caucaphony of Mediterranean colors clusted together.
The Forbidden Land
The border to Italy – no-man’s land due to Coronavirus.
Plaga Rondelli-Garavan
Although quite pebbly, the beaches in Menton are beautiful.
Random Racecar
An amazing float in a walkway in Menton. Paying homage to their wealthy neighbor Monaco and its famous Formula 1 race.
Menton by Night
Amazing coastal nighttime shot. Close down the aperture for starbursts, set the camera on something solid, and stand in front of something photogenic!
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