Menton Travel Poster: PLM Menton—17½ Hours from Paris, 11 Minutes from Monte‑Carlo by Frédéric Hugo d’Alesi, 1898

P.L.M. Paris–Lyon–Méditerranée: Menton à 17 h 1/2 de Paris et à 11 minutes de Monte‑Carlo by Frédéric Hugo d’Alesi (1898) captures the French Riviera at the height of the Belle Époque travel boom. Designed to entice modern rail passengers to the sun‑kissed edge of France, this luminous poster pairs an idyllic coastal vista with a proud local figure bearing a basket of lemons—an emblem of Menton’s famed microclimate and citrus heritage. Alesi’s poetic typography highlights how swiftly the PLM railway could deliver travelers to this Mediterranean haven, underscoring Menton’s closeness to Monte‑Carlo and its glamour.

This fine art print is faithfully reproduced from the original lithographic poster and available on your choice of acid‑free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas. The Unique Maps Co. offers a range of sizes, bespoke framing, and tasteful personalization—ideal for commemorating a special trip, marking a new home, or coordinating with your interior palette. Custom requests and inscription options are welcomed.

Frédéric Alexianu, better known as F. Hugo d’Alesi, was a Transylvanian‑born, Paris‑based painter, poster artist, and illustrator whose career blossomed alongside the golden age of European rail travel. Active in the late 19th century, he created celebrated advertising art for major railway lines and shipping companies, helping to define the visual language of tourism. His elegant command of lithography—clear silhouettes, soft tonal blends, and engaging narrative scenes—made destinations feel both accessible and romantic.

Menton’s allure in this poster is both geographic and cultural. Set between sea and mountains at the Italian border, the town had already earned a reputation for mild winters, Belle Époque villas, and leisurely promenades. The headline promise—Menton just 17½ hours from Paris and a mere 11 minutes from Monte‑Carlo—spoke to a new era when rail transformed far‑flung resorts into weekend possibilities. The image of a local woman carrying lemons nods to the region’s agricultural prosperity and to Menton’s enduring identity as France’s citrus capital.

Color and composition heighten the invitation to travel. A palette of greens, yellows, and warm beige is enlivened by touches of blue, evoking sunlit terraces, lush foliage, and the Mediterranean’s shimmering horizon. The figure’s horizontally striped dress lends rhythmic movement, while her rounded basket contrasts with the angular mountain forms behind her, creating a balanced, harmonious layout typical of late 19th‑century lithography. The golden lemons (Citrus limon) punctuate the scene with bright highlights that feel both decorative and authentic—a tactile promise of place.

As a gift, this print is a perfect keepsake for anyone who has strolled Menton’s promenades, toured Monte‑Carlo, or dreams of the French Riviera. It suits housewarmings, anniversaries, retirements, birthdays, or the holidays—an evocative reminder of sunshine and travel that brings a refined Belle Époque charm to any room.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.