The Route du Mimosa, Riviera / Cote d'Azur
A beautiful drive through the villages of the French Riviera and Antibes
Each year under clear blue winter skies, a carpet of gold creeps across the rolling hills and quiet stone villages of the French Riviera. As spring approaches, the mimosa trees come into spectacular bloom in the South of France, the sprays of soft yellow flowers vivid against the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.
The Route du Mimosa is a 130km driving route created to celebrate this extraordinary phenomenon, linking eight villages and towns that are famous for their stunning mimosa displays and festivals.
Any visiting Australian will be heard to ask with puzzlement about the mimosa flower. ‘Why’s there so much wattle? How did it get here?’ While the French are often quick to claim the fluffy, soft baubles of yellow flowers as their own, the mimosa tree is in fact the famous wattle tree - Australia’s national flower- imported to France in the 1800’s by visiting British, who thought it would grow well in the sunny climate. And they were right. By the time the Belle Époque was in full swing and the Riviera was a wintertime resort of glittering parties and grand hotels, the Mimosa tree had transformed the landscape, turning the valleys and forests a burnished gold and becoming the local symbol that winter’s grip was broken.
Which, of course, is a timely reminder that the South of France is a wonderful place to be in the late winter, particularly if you feel like a driving holiday through glorious scenery, stopping at local festivals and quaint villages along the way.
The sweet-smelling mimosa flower blooms from late January to early March and the Route du Mimosa is best driven in February, which is when the majority of mimosa parades and village festivals take place. This is the most pleasant time of year to be driving along the Riviera, avoiding the clogged roads and heavy heat of midsummer allowing you to enjoy the crisp air, snow on the Alps and the Mediterranean shining in the winter sunshine.
To be honest, you could do this trip at any time of year as it takes in some very pretty towns and countryside, from the foothills of the Alps down to the long white sandy beaches of Saint Raphael on the Gulf of Saint Tropez.
What to see
Below is a description of the eight villages that are on the Route du Mimosa, which stretches between the Var and the Alpes Maritimes. You could definitely take a few detours from this route: Saint Tropez, Frejus and Gassin are easy additions, while Roquebrune-sur-Argens is also thoroughly recommended. From the final stop at Grasse, Antibes, Cannes, Nice and Monaco are within easy reach.
Bormes les Mimosas: The Route du Mimosa begins here, in a town so celebrated for its beautiful mimosa that it had ‘les Mimosas’ added to its name in the 1960’s. This quaint medieval village spilling down the hillside is known for its gastronomy and flower-filled lanes. There is an exhibition Mimosalia at the end of January, a flower parade in early February and a local nursery has 180 varieties of Mimosa on display.
Rayol-Canadel sur Mer: This quiet village is just 15km from Bormes-les-Mimosas, set among pine and mimosa trees. The unmissable highlight is the Domaine du Rayol, a large spectacular garden by the sea, which has wonderful mimosa displays among other exotic species. This is one of the ‘30 Grand Sites of France’, and no wonder, for this is an extraordinarily beautiful place.
Sainte Maxime: This relaxing beach resort has a wonderful range of mimosa festivities including a Miss Mimosa competition and a flower parade with gorgeous floats. There’s also a botanical garden with a glorious display of mimosa.
Saint Raphael: Located on the wide sandy beaches of the Gulf of Saint Tropez a short distance from Sainte Maxime, Saint Raphael is also transformed when the mimosa blooms. Early February sees a fantastic landscaping exhibition and competition, while the town hosts a spectacular flower carnival in late February. Because this stretch of coastline is a burnished red rock, the yellow mimosa looks particularly vivid against red rock and blue sea.
Mandelieu-la-Napoule: On the Alpes Maritimes coast by Cannes you’ll find this pretty seaside town, which hosts the large Mimosa Festival in mid-February. The town crowns a Mimosa Queen and a flower parade turns the streets into a riot of colour and life.
Tanneron: The route becomes even more visually stunning as you leave the coast and begin the climb into the foothills of the Alps, where vast mimosa forests turn the valleys into gold. The commune of Tanneron has the biggest mimosa forest in Europe, and the village is nestled right in the middle of it! Their festival takes place in early February.
Pégomas: Back down the hill a little you’ll find this pretty little town, where the river paths and gardens are lined with mimosa.
Grasse: Where better to finish a flower tour than in the world-capital of perfume? The fragile, sweet-smelling Mimosa is one of the flowers used by the famous parfumiers of this medieval town.
Sights in Antibes
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Fréjus Cathedral, Fréjus
Dating back to the 5th century when the baptistery was built makes it the oldest in the Provence region and one of the oldest in France. At this ancient, Merovingian style baptistery you can still see a 5th century baptismal basin for full immersion, as well as Roman columns.
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L'Esterel National Park
A volcanic range of mountains covering around 32,000 hectares and stretching between Saint-Raphael and Theoule-sur-Mer.
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Caves of Saint Cezaire, Grasse
The awe-inspiring caves of Saint Cézaire are six million years old. Discovered by a farmer digging his field in 1890, they boast a wealth of beautiful, natural rock formations in fantastical forms.
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Abbaye de Lerins Monastery (Lerins Abbey), Ile Saint-Honorat
Located on the island of Saint Honorat, the abbey is still occupied by monks. It's possible to receive a guided tour and re-charge your spiritual batteries.
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Musee de la Mer, Ile Sainte-Marguerite
Situated within the Royal Fort on Ile Sainte-Marguerite in the Bay of Cannes, this museum is a place not only of learning but also of rich history.
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Fort Royal Museum, Ile Sainte-Marguerite
In 1617, the Duke of Guise gave Jean de Bellon the task of building a fort intended to block sea access to Cannes. Constructed between 1624 and 1627 on the site of remains that dated back to Roman antiquity, at the time it was nothing more than a simple fortified house.
Where to lunch
It would be hard to refuse a meal in the delightful medieval village of Bormes les Mimosas. However, you can't go far wrong if you stop at any of the pretty villages along the route, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants to meet your needs. Depending on the day you travel through you may also catch the local market which offers up the perfect food for a picnic!
Restaurants in Antibes
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Le Nacional Restaurant
Le Nacional is a THE Beef and Wine restaurant in the heart of historical Antibes. A restaurant that will excite the taste buds of gourmet meat aficionados. The choicest pieces of beef provided by the highest quality butchers.
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La Cap Beach Restaurant, Juan les Pins
Open from April till October for lunch and from June till mid-September for dinner, this fantastic restaurant offers delicious fresh Mediterranean cuisine.
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La Table de Pierre Restaurant, St Paul de Vence
La Table de Pierre offers refined, garden-led cuisine by Chef Emmanuel Lehrer in a romantic setting with views over the estate.
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Le Saint-Martin Restaurant, Vence
Gourmet restaurant of the Saint-Martin Spa & Chateau hotel to the north of Vence.
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Eden-Roc Restaurant
Savour signature cocktails and exclusive wines while enjoying panoramic Mediterranean views at Eden-Roc Lounge. Open to resident and restaurant guests, subject to availability.
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Cafe Royal Restaurant
The Cafe Royal is located on the ground floor of the Hotel Royal Antibes.
What to do
Things To Do in Antibes
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Luxury Lizard Yacht Trip
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
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Luxury Chantella Yacht Trip
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
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Motorbike hire
Based in Cannes, motorbike and scooter rental so you can explore the South of France.
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Road bike hire
This company is based in Cannes and offers a wide range of road bikes, with delivery available to Antibes.
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Luxury SMILE Yacht Trip
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
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Luxury A4A Yacht Trip
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
