82th Lemon Festival to be held in Menton (French Riviera) #FêteduCitron [PHOTOGALLERY]

With processions of floats, gardens of lights and the exhibition of giant designs, come and discover this fantasy world, and move to the rhythm of a simply unforgettable event.

More than 300 professionals work on the project and 145 tons of citrus fruits are used.

This year the Lemon Festival will take place in Menton between the 14th of February and the 4th of March.

The event's programme follows.

Exhibition of citrus patterns

Astonishment and amazement

Dates : from Saturday 14 February to Wednesday 4th march 2015

Place: Biovès garden (main entrance in front of Casino Barrière).

In the Biovès Gardens…Imagine…patterns that can be up to ten metres high…

During the festival, the Biovès Gardens take on dazzling yellow and orange sunshine colours. The decors are incredible, some requiring nearly fifteen tonnes of citrus fruit…

Every year, it takes thousands of hours to create these ephemeral sculptures, with the fruits placed one at a time…

Go into the Biovès Gardens and discover these giant sculptures made of golden fruit according to a tradition that has been carefully maintained since the start of the last century…

Golden Fruit Parade

High-energy parades and colourful celebration

Dates : Sundays 15, 22 February and 1st march 2015 at 2.30pm

Place: Promenade du Soleil (seafront)

On Sunday afternoon, come to the central focus of this unique event…

On Sunday morning, the town gets busy, with the coming and going of coaches and cars… Like an endless farandole, the crowd moves here and there, stretching out through the narrow streets and finally coming together along the sea front.

Today is festival day! Confetti is scattered against a background of blue sky. Entertainers, brass bands and folk groups wheel, spin and dance between the magnificent citrus fruit floats…

Gardens of lights

Dates : Sunday 15 February, Tuesday 17 February, Sunday 22 February, Tuesday 24 February, Tuesday 3rd March  from 8.30 pm to 11 pm

Place : Bioves garden – main entrance in front of Casino Barrière 

Magical lights and sparkling enchantment

Magical lights and sparkling enchantment . At night, the citrus fruit patterns take on clashing colours…

As night falls, take a walk in the Biovès Gardens…The patterns light up and unusual sounds combine with strange creatures of light… The gardens take on a new look, a new perspective… With the play of light, the arrangements stretch out, soar upwards and amaze… Time seems to stand still in a world in which light and sound create a magical, enchanting place of unsuspected splendour…

Night-time parades

Dates : On Thursdays 19th February and 26th February 2015 at 8.30pm

Place : Promenade du soleil (seafront)

Enthusiasm and a zest for extravagance

Until dusk, the town seems to hold its breath…It’s all very peaceful, too peaceful…

In the distance, some drums show a touch of impatience, a trumpet replies… A float loaded with citrus fruit appears from nowhere, then another…

Time to party! Brass bands, orchestras, folk groups, dancers and the plain mischievous add a spark of splendour to the parade worthy of the most ambitious street festivals!

Suddenly, the first explosions ring out and light up the night above Menton.

The crackle of the sparks as they fall into the sea signals the end of this moment of extravagance.

For more information visit: http://www.fete-du-citron.com/?lang=en