Beautiful Mimosa at the Vineyard for French Riviera Winter Colours

Provence is known for its exceptional wines and breathtaking landscapes. But did you know our region is also home to a beautiful, fragrant plant? The mimosa, a plant native to Australia, grows on our vineyard and brings a touch of lively colour and subtle fragrance.

The mimosa grows mainly in subtropical and warm zones, but it has managed to adapt to the climatic conditions of our region. Its bright yellow flowers appear in February; you can spot them everywhere! They are the very first sign of spring. Mimosa branches are often used in flower arrangements, and all around the coastline, there are festivals and markets dedicated to this sunny plant. They’re a perfect example of how nature can beautify our environment and add a touch of magic to our daily lives! Original contributor blog post by: Maison Mirabeau Wine.

Mimosa and the French Riviera

Today, the high season on the French Riviera is during the summer months. However, in the 19th century, it was in the cold winter months when wealthy foreigners escaped to the French coast. This stylish group left a permanent impression on the Riviera with landmarks such as the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, art-deco homes and gardens with mimosas. The mimosa, part of the acacia family, is native to Australia, not the South of France. Originally planted in the 1850s in the gardens of the “Riviera Set,” mimosas are celebrated along the coastline in winter.

©Cote d’Azur Tourisme

Route du Mimosa

The official Route du Mimosa runs 130 kilometres from Bormes les Mimosas to the perfume capital of Grasse. From January to March, this flower-centric festival includes parades, workshops and other activities attracting crowds to the coastline during a quieter period of the year. However, catching the blossoms at their peak takes a bit of luck, as Mother Nature determines exactly when the plants will flower.

Mimosa Hillsides

Between Grasse and Cannes is the hilltop village of Tanneron. At the height of the mimosa season, a golden-yellow hue bathes the town. Tanneron is a centre for both cultivated and wild species of mimosa. Just a short walk from the village is a pretty waterfall, the Cascade de la Siagne. The sweeping view from the Church of Notre Dame de Peygros (built in the 1840s) is worth seeing.