Menton is often treated as the pretty final station before Italy. That is underselling it. It has an old town, real local life, beaches, gardens and a pace that becomes particularly attractive after several days spent optimising train connections.
For a first, mobile trip, keep Nice as the base and come for the day. For a slower ending or a stay focused on the eastern Riviera, give Menton one or two nights.
Menton as a base
The town works well without a car and invites more walking. It is also much less committed to grand hotel theatre than Cannes or Monaco. If you want a softer version of the Riviera, that is a genuine advantage.
The trade-off is geography: Antibes, Cannes and Saint-Tropez become increasingly poor ideas for spontaneous day trips. Menton has clearly chosen its side of the coast.
Menton from Nice
The coastal train makes Menton a natural day trip. One day is enough for the old town, a swim, one museum or garden, and a lunch that does not need to be eaten like an airport connection.
If you combine Menton with Monaco, edit the programme. Two towns in one day can work; two towns plus six sights and a tasting menu mostly work inside spreadsheets.
Beaches & pace
Menton suits days where swimming happens naturally between other things rather than as a separate beach operation. The seafront and beaches make the whole stay feel less scheduled.
Evenings are quieter. For some travellers that is exactly the luxury; for others it is evidence they should have kept Nice.
Do not add Menton because there was a blank box left.
Come to change pace, not to increase the number of towns in the trip's Instagram biography.
Transport: simple along the coast
The railway links Menton with Monaco, Nice and the rest of the coast. For an eastern stay, that is entirely workable without a car. As always, check live travel information shortly before departure: railways occasionally develop plans of their own.
Where to stay: we still need more choice
We currently have one reviewed address, Villa Genesis. That is not enough to claim serious Menton coverage, especially if we want different price levels and trip styles.
Menton + Monaco: the logical pair
The two places complement each other because they are not trying to create the same effect. Monaco performs; Menton exhales. Pairing them in one day is sensible if the programme stays light; splitting them is better if you genuinely want to enter the places.