Voluptuous, luminous, the small fluffy balls of the mimosa invade in winter, plains, forests and steep rockeries of the South, reserving a sensory experience like no other…
At the beginning of the Massif des Maures, Bormes-les-Mimosa, an old medieval village, adorns itself in February with a charming golden scarf: just a few kilometers from the renowned beaches of Cabasson, Brégançon and Pellegrin, some 90 species of the famous plant in the colors of the sun. A stone’s throw away, the 3000 m² of the Gonzalez botanical park and the Julien Cavatore nursery extend the dream.
Rather peaceful, the wooded hills of the village of Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer are displayed as a unique belvedere from which to observe the Iles d’Hyères (also called Iles d’Or). In the surrounding area, the Mediterranean garden, through species originating in particular from California, Australia, Asia and the Canary Islands, opens up another enchanted parenthesis.
Old tiles, typical covered market, long promenade on the shore… Sainte-Maxime promises happy hours. Near the town centre, the Pointe des Sardinaux encourages everyone to preserve the seaweed, crustaceans and other shellfish of the coast.
On the side of the ocher rocks of the Estérel, even in winter, Saint-Raphaël and its spectacular seabed attract tourists. From the port, to the creeks of Boulouris and the harbor of Agay, a special intimacy is created with the sea. A visit to the museum of underwater archeology and the creeks of Anthéor-le-Trayas further reinforces this idea.
A veritable garden city and city of art, Mandelieu has a number of prestigious sites: the Château de la Napoule, the Marande garden, the Parc des Oliviers on the banks of the Siagne, the Parc de l’Argentière along the Riou river .
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Even in the glass and on the plate
The closer you get to the Tanneron massif, the more the mimosa, whether cultivated or wild, gains its notoriety: the yellow forests then mix with heather, pines, chestnuts and cork oaks. On site, the Vial family shares their passion for beekeeping and horticulture. The house on Lake Saint-Cassien becomes the setting for workshops (“Silk Couleur Mimosa” and “Macarons Mimosa”) featuring the coveted pompom.
The plain of Pégomas then takes shape, with its vineyards, its orchards and its Baroque-style treasures, including the Saint-Pierre church. In the surroundings, the mimosists Jean-Paul and Stéphane Reynaud explain their forcerie to the general public.
Finally arrives Grasse, capital of perfume and the ultimate flagship destination for mimosa, where fragrance professionals and soap manufacturers mix mimosa with citrus fruits, rosemary, lavender…
With its scents and subtle flavors, the mimosa also exalts the taste buds… Syrups and delicacies are proud of their floral notes! Throughout this sunny winter journey, it is possible to taste and buy Mimocello alcohol, lemon mimosa jelly, Mimosette brioche, Mimosa d’Agay chocolate truffle… This season, local restaurateurs also revisit with poetry the local dishes.
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