Sommaire / Summary
Old Menton, the Vieux Menton, is the original town, situated on a hill overlooking the Bay of Garavan.
Visit Old Menton
Stroll through the narrow streets and squares of Vieux Menton, look up at the bell tower of the Basilica of Saint-Michel Archange, look down at the pavement, take a passage under the houses, climb up to the castle cemetery.
The old white stones, ochre facades, green plants and blue sky combine to create a festival of colors. Stroll slowly through Vieux Menton, soaking up the old-fashioned atmosphere.
The forecourt of the Basilique Saint-Michel Archange
The façade of the basilica and its bell tower dominate the forecourt of the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel. See the floor, it is paved with pebbles depicting the Grimaldi family coat of arms. To the west, the chapel of the White Penitents. To the east, the stairs of the Saint Michel ramp lead down to the coastline and the Sablettes beach.
It's a 360° experience.
The Basilica of Saint Michel Archange
The Basilique Saint Michel Archange was built in 1639. It has a baroque interior, with numerous chapels, each housing paintings and sculptures. The vaulted ceiling is a trompe-l'oeil by the Cerrutti-Maori family (possibly Carlo Cerrutti-Maori, the father, and painted or restored by Guillaume, the son).
The façade of this basilica is also in the Baroque spirit, but was completed in 1819. It is adorned with statues of (left) Saint Maurice, patron saint of the House of Savoy, (right) Saint Roch, healer of the plague, and (center) Saint Michael the Archangel.
The steeple is 53m high and dates from 1701.
See also the castle cemetery.
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Jean-Marc Foulquier