As winter settles over the tiny Mediterranean principality, Monaco's urban gardeners are preparing for their yearly ritual: the harvest of bitter oranges from the streetside trees that line its glamorous neighborhoods. Starting Jan. 12, teams from the Direction de l’Aménagement Urbain will prune and pick the fruit in a tradition that not only maintains the city's verdant aesthetic but also provides a communal bounty for locals.
The Principality of Monaco boasts nearly 1,200 citrus trees, including more than 600 untreated bitter orange trees scattered across districts like La Condamine, Moneghetti and Monte-Carlo. These bigaradiers, as they are known in French, produce oranges that are too tart for eating raw but ideal for marmalades, jams and other confections. In 2025, the harvest yielded over 15 tons of fruit, with nearly 4.5 tons distributed free of charge to residents and the local Lycée Rainier III, where students transform them into preserves and fruit pastes.
This year's collection will follow a precise schedule, weather permitting, with operations running from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. In La Condamine, harvesting along Rue Grimaldi is slated for Jan. 12 to 23, followed by Rue Princesse Caroline from Jan. 26 to Feb. 6. Moneghetti's Boulevard de Belgique will see activity from Jan. 19 to 30. In Monte-Carlo, Boulevard d’Italie is scheduled for Jan. 12 to 15, and Avenue de Grande-Bretagne from Jan. 19 to 23.
Residents eager to partake can approach the gardeners directly on site to receive portions of the harvest. The initiative underscores Monaco's commitment to sustainability and community engagement, turning urban greenery into a shared resource amid the principality's high-rise luxury.
Photo credits: Government of Monaco Instagram