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Travel & Experiences

Offbeat Traveler: 79th annual Lemon Festival in Menton, France

The festival has its roots in the 1890s when a group of hoteliers organized a parade to drive winter tourism.  (Bruno Berbert / EPA)

If life gives you lemons, turn them into parade floats. Works for the city of Menton in southeastern France. This past Saturday, it kicked off its 79th annual Lemon Festival featuring floats and displays decorated with citrus fruits. The celebration is one of the French Riviera’s most popular events and attracts about a quarter million visitors each year. Here’s a look at some of the lemon-laced displays showcased in Bioves Garden at this year’s festival.

-- Jason La, Los Angeles Times

The theme of this year's festival is regions of France. Here, a display pays homage to Champagne, situated in northern France.

The theme of this year’s festival is regions of France. Here, a display pays homage to Champagne, situated in northern France.  (Lionel Cironneau / Associated Press)

During the course of the festival, 154 tons of lemons will be used. Twenty people are tasked with replacing rotten fruit on floats and displays.

During the course of the festival, 154 tons of lemons will be used. Twenty people are tasked with replacing rotten fruit on floats and displays.  (Bruno Berbert / EPA)

At the end of the celebration, fruits in good condition are sold at discounted prices.

At the end of the celebration, fruits in good condition are sold at discounted prices.  (Bruno Berbert / EPA)

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A display representing Alsace. Storks, which nest on roofs throughout the area, serve as a symbol of the region.

A display representing Alsace. Storks, which nest on roofs throughout the area, serve as a symbol of the region.  (Bruno Berbert / EPA)

A close-up of the Alsace display. Locals believe that having a stork nest on your home is a sign of good luck.

A close-up of the Alsace display. Locals believe that having a stork nest on your home is a sign of good luck.  (Lionel Cironneau / Associated Press)

A bottle of wine and goose depicting the Bordeaux region.

A bottle of wine and goose depicting the Bordeaux region.  (Lionel Cironneau / Associated Press)

A display depicting the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

A display depicting the Eiffel Tower in Paris.  (Lionel Cironneau / Associated Press)

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