For a few decades already, the Christmas  had realized that the earth is in danger.

The climatic global warming, the deforestation and pollution were threatening the existence  of some animals.

Last summer, he decided to remake what God had requested from Noah to do a few millenia ago.

He ordered to its imps to build an arch that would gather all the animal species of the whole planet. He said to them: " our  earth ecosystem is threatened. One day, our children won’t be able  to admire some  animal and vegetable species any more which live on the planet... "

In Menton , the  town of gardens of exception, you have 6 months to recreate in the Garden Biovès, the animal world of the 5 continents that we will call the Christmas Arch... I wish that each child realizes that nature is a gift, and that  anyone is able to change the course of the things in the future... "continues the Christmas.

On these words, the imps activate themselves to imagine and to build wonderful decorations so that younger and older can feel with wonderful and marvellous feelings. They reconstitute an ice-barrier inhabited by a polar bear, a sea elephant, a penguin. At the bottom of the iceberg, a whale spouts out. Next to  this frozen decoration they imagine a cold lake so that the children can slip and have fun.

Further, they build an African bush... Lion, zebra, tiger and monkey populate this ground of Africa. A small train will approach this world more closely sothat anyone can admire these animals.

 As the seas and oceans cover the most part of the ground, the imps imagine a waterpiece for turtles, dolphins and sharks ...

One of the imps even thinks about  building  a typical farm in the mentonnais back country with true animals! Cows, goats, sheep will take part in the festival!
And to attract and excite the children, the imps build a climbingwall and a mechanical bull...
Lots of other surprises will attract the younger Menton inhabitants! During long weeks, they create a spectacle with  otaries! They also think that walks on the  back of elephant will be an invitation to the escape, to the dream...

And  very quickly, the rumours run downtown. In the historical cityheart,  lanes, small squares, cribs, each one more beautiful than the others, are growing  while the night is falling. The craftsmen  join themselves all along the streets to welcome the Arch of Christmas. While Discovering the trades of the past, workshops make garlands, candles,  Christmasadorning  magic. On the Francis-Palmero Esplanade and in the mall of the Bastion, the craftsmen come from all France to create a Christmas market in the real Mediterranean tradition.

In front of such a dash and such an enthusiasm, the Christmas is  very glad.
He  wanted  to offer Menton a fairy-like and majestic illuminations so that all the city scintillates of thousand and one lights. Menton, casket  of lights becomes the symbol of the life, prosperity, and  hope...

In the Biovès Gardens, the Arch of Christmas

 the Antarctic area
discover find polar bear, whale, sea elephant, penguin...

The African area
discover zebra, lion, elephant, monkey, tiger...

Underwater area
discover dolphin, turtle and  shark.

 The Mediterranean farm
 A real farm with cows, goats, sheep will  also be here.

 In the Gardens Biovès

animations : IceSkating area
From Saturday 9th of December to Sunday 7th of January included
Every day from 10 am to 7 pm
Friday & Saturday, from 10am to 8pm
Entrance: 5 €

Small train & Carousel
From Saturday 9th of December to Sunday 7th of January included
Every day from 10am  to  12  and from 2pm  to  7pm
Entrance ticket : 2€  (1 ticket) – 5€ (4 tickets) – 10€ (10 tickets)

Climbingwall
Thursday the 21st to Sunday the 7th of January
Every day from  10h to  12h and 14h to  18h
Entrance ticket  3€

 Mechanical bull
 Thursday the 21st to  Sunday  the 7th of January
Every day from  10h to  12h and 15h to  17.30h
Entrance ticket : 2€

Walk on elephantsback
Saturday December the 23 to  Sunday January the 7th
Every day from  10h with 12h and from 15h00 to 17h00
Entrance  2€ 

Walk on  dromedaryback  [ to confirm ]
Saturday December the 23rd  to  Sunday January the 7th
Every day from  10h with 12h and from 15h00 to 17h00
Entrance 2€

Otaries show
Saturday the 23rd of December to Sunday the 7th of January
Every day at  10h,  14h30 and 16h30

On the 25th of December  2006 and on the 1st of January 2007, animations will take place only in the afternoon.

In the old city
The cribsroad
From Saturday the 16th of December to Sunday the 7th of January included
Ask for the Road of the cribs at the Tourist Office : 0033 (0)4 92 41 76 76

 Animations in the Longue Rue

The children will discover  the old trades of yesterday  and the  workshops for the children
Friday the 22nd  & Saturday the 23rd of December  from  10h to  17h
Friday the  29th  & Saturday the 30th of December, from  10h to  17h

The Bastion Mall

Christmas Market

Around Forty craftsmen invite you to  the Christmas market  in the great Mediterranean tradition.
Every day

Palais de l’ Europe

Concert New Year's day Concert
Monday January the 1st  2007, from  17h free entrance
Francis-Palmero Theatre

the Black Penitent Church