Spending a few days in Menton? Dive into the depths of the region’s past with a visit to the Museum of Prehistory of Menton. You’ll meet the first inhabitants of this small part of the Côte d’Azur.
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to the Museum of Prehistory in Menton.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is a visit to Menton’s Museum of Prehistory worthwhile?
Yes, the museum is well worth a visit. It’s one of our favorite things to do in Menton, and the dedicated article will be online soon. Created on the initiative of naturalist and archaeologist Stanislas Bonfils, the museum showcases the region’s prehistoric collections and demonstrates how people of the time faced contemporary issues such as climate change and biodiversity. We also loved the permanent exhibition devoted to the wreck treasures of the Mediterranean.
This is one of Menton’s main attractions.
What you can see
The bones of the Grotte du Vallonet
The Grotte du Vallonet was home to prehistoric man over a million years ago. Thousands ofmammal bones have been discovered in the sediments: bear, hyena, saber-toothed tiger, cheetah, Eurasian jaguar, leopard, rhinoceros, southern elephant, equine, wild boar…
Fire at Terra Amata
The Terra Amata site, near Nice, is one of the oldest prehistoric sites where evidence of the mastery of fire has been found, dating back 400,000 years. A fundamental innovation to improve living comfort for prehistoric man.
Bifaces from the Grotte du Lazaret
150,000 years ago, the Grotte du Lazaret in Nice was still home to deer and ibex hunters. The bifaces they used to process their carcasses have been found there.
Art in the Grimaldi Caves
The Grimaldi Caves, near Ventimiglia on the border between Italy and France, were home to the first modern humans 37,000 years ago. They left marks of their artistic practices on the walls.
Female statuettes
The Grimaldi Caves are also famous for the small female statuettes discovered there at the end of the 19th century. 25,000 years ago, these statuettes probably symbolized fertility.
The Man from Menton
We were very interested in the reconstruction of a prehistoric burial site. It’s that of the Menton Man, exhumed at the end of the 19th century in one of the Grimaldi Caves. The skull features numerous shells. According to the study of his pelvis, the Menton Man was… a woman!
The tools of the Grotte de l’Adaouste
The museum presents an exceptional Neolithic collection discovered in the Grotte de l’Adaouste in the Bouches-du-Rhône region. It testifies to the importance of hunting at a time when agriculture and animal husbandry were still in their infancy.
The engravings on Mont Bego
These famous engravings illustrate the Bronze Age period, which began 4,000 years ago. The museum features a number of large representative casts, as well as bronze objects and ceramics from regional sites.
WHERE TO STAY IN Menton
Option 1: Downtown
Enjoy the charm of the old town and all its restaurants.
We recommend..:
- Hotel de Londres – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Riva Art – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Villa Genesis – prices, pictures and availability
Option 2: Port side
Easy access to the center and beautiful views of the old town.
- Hotel Napoleon with swimming pool – view prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: Beachside
15 to 30 minutes’ walk from the center between Roquebrune and downtown, to enjoy the sea.
- Best Western Premier Hotel Prince de Galles – view prices, pictures and availability
- Résidence Pierre & Vacances Premium Julia Augusta – see prices, photos and availability
The ceramics of Via Julia Augusta
The Via Julia Augusta is the Roman road created by Augustus in 13/12 B.C. It linked Italy to the south of France. The Menton region was part of the Roman city of Ventimiglia. Numerous ceramics were found near the theater and thermal baths at the end of the 19th century.
Antique glass from Cap Camarat
We loved the part of the museum dedicated to shipwreck treasures. They bear witness to Mediterranean maritime trade 2,000 years ago. A rare shipment of antique glass was discovered at Cap Camarat (Var), where a Roman ship had run aground.
Museum of Prehistory in Menton: how to get there
Where to find the museum
- In Menton
- 10-minute walk from the Old Port
- 3min walk from Town Hall
Access by car and parking
There are a few parking spaces in front of the museum, but we advise you to leave your car at the Parking de l’Hôtel de Ville, a 2-minute walk away.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Public transport access
- The nearest bus stop is “Musée” (lines 1, 2, 3, 6, 8), then a 2-minute walk. Find out more here.
- The free shuttle bus also leaves you at the “Museum” stop. Read more about his career here.
Visiting difficulties
There are stairs in the museum. It is, however, accessible to wheelchair users. Find out more here.
Tips for visiting the Museum of Regional Prehistory
Schedules and prices
The museum is open every day except Tuesdays and public holidays, from 10am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 6pm.
Rates:
- Adults: €3
- Free for children under 18
- Free on the 1st Sunday of the month (other free pass holders: information on 04 93 35 84 64)
Admission is free for all on the 1st Sunday of the month.
Find out more about reduced rates and free admission here.
Group tours by prior arrangement.
How long
Allow around 1 hour to visit the museum.
Best moment
There are very few rainy days in Menton, but the Musée de Préhistoire might be a good idea to fill those days. It’s also very pleasant in very hot weather, when everyone rushes to the beaches.
Direction of visit
The tour is chronological, from 1,200,000 BC to Antiquity.
Visiting with children
We didn’t see any specific courses or activities for children.
Eating out
It’s right in the center of town, with plenty of restaurants all around. Our article on the best places to eat in Menton will soon be online, but we can already recommend the Restaurant L’Orangerie, a 3-minute walk from the museum.
Hotels
You’re right in the center of Menton. Don’t miss our article on our 10 best hotels to stay in Menton.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
- Inspiration
The most beautiful landscapes in 30 photos
Best things to do on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful villages
Best beaches on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful gardens
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Most beautiful islands
Secret places
- Practical advice
Successful travel on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual
- Where to stay
Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur
Best luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur
Hotels by the sea
Best boutique-hotels
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
