Menton

Menton  is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region in southeastern France. Situated on the French Riviera, along the Franco-Italian border, it is nicknamed la perle de la France. The Menton area has been inhabited since the paleolithic era, and is the site of the original "Grimaldi Man" find of early modern humans, as well as remains of Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons.  In Roman times, the Via Julia Augusta, a road connecting Placentia  with Arelates  passed through Menton, running along the Rue Longue in the old town.  The first major settlement occurred during the 11th century CE, when the Count of Ventimiglia constructed the Chateau de Puypin  on the Pepin hill, north and west of the modern town center. During the 13th century, the seigneury of Puypin fell to the Vento family of Genoa who built a new castle along the Roman road, now the site of the Vieux-Château cemetery, providing the core around which the current town grew. Menton was thus incorporated into the Republic of Genoa.  Source