The Winter Palace and Menton’s grand hotels

When the Riviera was a winter destination

Before seaside holidays became associated with summer, Menton welcomed visitors seeking a mild winter. The arrival of the railway in 1869 made the town easier to reach. Climate, leisure and social life gradually shaped the resort; gardens and hotels became part of its appeal. The regional heritage inventory traces this development from a climatic resort to a destination for extended holidays. ^[4]

That history changes the way we look at a palace hotel. Its drawing rooms and gardens were places in which guests spent part of their lives, sometimes for an entire season. The scale of the buildings makes more sense when imagined as a setting for long stays rather than an overnight stop.

1901–1903: Albert Tournaire and the Winter Palace

Work began in 1901 under architect Albert Tournaire; the hotel opened on 1 January 1903. These dates describe different stages, not competing accounts. The residence’s history records a luxury establishment with 220 rooms and suites, electricity, heating, lifts and modern bathrooms. ^[2]

On the Vignasses hillside, the hotel was built for the Société de l’hôtel des Iles britanniques, associated with the Rosnoblet family. It stood close to the Riviera Palace, another ambitious hotel competing for winter visitors. ^[1]

Take a moment to consider the effect of the long façade above its planted grounds. The setting offered guests a relationship with the surrounding landscape as well as an address in Menton.

Drawing rooms, gardens and the rhythm of a stay

The historical account of the residence describes a library, billiard room, smoking room and other shared salons. Today, the entrance hall and the former smoking room’s semi-rotunda remain important reminders of that social life. ^[2]

The garden provides another way to read the building. A walk, a shaded pause and a view back towards the façade are all part of the experience. From Terrasse d’Azur, the palms and the sea bring this setting into everyday moments: breakfast outside, a quiet hour after a walk, or dinner on the terrace.

From hotel to private residence

During the Second World War, the Winter Palace was occupied by Italian and German forces; Canadian personnel were present at the Liberation. It did not reopen as a hotel. A cultural centre followed, then conversion into apartments in the late 1950s. ^[1]

The building’s façades and roofs have been protected as Monuments historiques since 29 October 1975. The official record specifies this partial protection and its status as private co-owned property. ^[3]

Staying here today means experiencing a historic building that continues to be lived in. The apartments and shared areas serve present-day residents; this is a residential setting whose calm is part of its character.

Other grand hotels that tell Menton’s story

The Riviera Palace, a neighbour on avenue Riviera

At 28 avenue Riviera, the Riviera Palace was built between 1898 and 1901 by Abel Gléna and Alfred-Auguste Marsang. Additional storeys and two towers were added between 1910 and 1914. Its painted façade decoration is attributed to Cerutti-Maori. Like the Winter Palace, it later became apartments. This is the Riviera Palace in Menton, distinct from the building of the same name in Beausoleil. ^[5]

L’Impérial, at the end of the Belle Époque

Designed by Hans-Georg Tersling, L’Impérial was built from 1911 and opened in December 1913. It became a military hospital during the First World War and was converted into apartments in 1947. Its history shows how rapidly a palace’s purpose could change in the twentieth century. ^[6]

The Grand Hôtel de Venise, now L’Orangeraie

On rue Partouneaux, the former Grand Hôtel de Venise offers another variation: a large building set back from the street behind a garden. Known today as L’Orangeraie, it continues the hotel tradition. Its successive extensions reflect the changing ambitions of Menton’s hospitality industry. ^[7]

The Royal Westminster and the Balmoral

The town’s heritage route also includes the Royal Westminster and the Balmoral among the historic establishments still operating as hotels. Together with converted palaces, they reveal the different futures of a shared heritage. ^[8]

A heritage walk, with time to look

Begin with the Winter Palace’s setting, then discover the neighbouring Riviera Palace from public areas. On a separate walk towards the town centre or seafront, look for the other historic hotels. Rather than trying to see everything at once, compare a few details: the entrance, the balconies, the garden and the distance between the building and the street.

Menton’s palace trail uses interpretation signs, developed with the Cercle des Palaces Retrouvés. Many properties are private residences: seeing a façade does not imply access to the garden or interior. Check with the tourist office for any guided visits offered during your stay. ^[8]

Continue through our guide to Menton’s gardens or discover a later architectural chapter with Eileen Gray and Le Corbusier at Cap Moderne.

Staying at the Winter Palace with Terrasse d’Azur

Terrasse d’Azur is a private apartment within the residence, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a 30 m² south-facing terrace. It offers a contemporary way to enjoy this historic setting, overlooking the park and the sea.

The pleasure lies in the connection between discovering Menton and returning to a place with its own history. Explore the apartment and check availability.