Mimosa Route in Provence & French Riviera 2025

A couple of towns in Provence flowered with bright yellow mimosa bushes. Every year, when mimosa is in bloom, each city has a celebration dedicated to it. Ideally, one should be able to drive from town to town and catch every celebration.

Best Time to Visit

The Mimosa Route in Provence and the French Riviera is best explored between January and March when the mimosa trees are in full bloom. This scenic journey offers a unique winter experience in Southern France, combining mild temperatures with breathtaking landscapes. The vibrant yellow mimosa, a symbol of winter sunshine in the region, serves as a delightful herald of the approaching spring season.

More About the Mimosa in South of France

Mimosa, often referred to as the "yellow gold" of the Côte d'Azur, was introduced from Australia in the late 19th century by British aristocrats who favored the region's mild winters. The climate of the French Riviera proved ideal for these plants, allowing them to flourish and establish the largest mimosa forest in Europe, located in the Massif de Tanneron.

The Horticulture and Acclimatization Society played a significant role in promoting mimosa cultivation, leading to the growth of numerous mimosa farms in areas such as Mandelieu, Pégomas, Tanneron, and La Roquette. From the train stations in Cannes and Mandelieu, mimosa flowers were distributed to major cities across France and Europe.

La Route du Mimosa

The Mimosa Route is a 130-kilometer scenic road stretching from Bormes-les-Mimosas to Grasse, the perfume capital. The route passes through several towns, including Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer, Sainte-Maxime, Saint-Raphaël, Mandelieu-La Napoule, Tanneron, and Pégomas, before concluding in Grasse.

Along the way, visitors can admire the vibrant mimosa flowers and take part in local festivities. The route also offers opportunities to explore the unique architecture of each town, such as historic churches and buildings. Bormes-les-Mimosas, for example, features a charming medieval-style village, while Grasse is home to numerous historic perfume workshops.

Activities

During the Mimosa Route celebrations, towns along the route highlight the charm of the mimosa flower through a variety of events, including flower parades, exhibitions, night parades, guided visits to mimosa forests, and the Miss Mimosa competition. Visitors can also explore local markets to sample regional delicacies and attend cultural activities unique to each location.

A key event is the traditional Mimosa Festival (Fête du Mimosa) at Mandelieu-la-Napoule, held around mid-February for one week. Recognized as one of the Côte d'Azur's top winter festivals since 1931, it features parades and activities centered on this iconic flower.

Another notable celebration is the Corso Fleuri in Bormes-les-Mimosas. Each year, approximately 12 tons of yellow mimosa twigs and 80 varieties of flowers are used to decorate about 15 floats. This annual effort, undertaken with great dedication by residents, marks the oldest flower parade on the Côte d'Azur. Now over a century old, the Corso Fleuri continues to draw both national and international visitors to Bormes-les-Mimosas at the end of February, celebrating the enduring beauty of this vibrant tradition.