Mandelieu-La Napoule, Capital of the Mimosa

STROLL UNDER THE FLOWERING MIMOSAS

The Côte d’Azur offers exceptional walking and hiking trails in remarkable and fragile natural sites. When the mimosa flowers, the trails light up and allow for enjoying an extraordinary olfactory experience. In Mandelieu-La Napoule, there are many walks along which you can see and enjoy this flower, that can be taken as a family, with friends or by yourself.

Formed of thousands of golden-yellow balls, mimosas cover the Tanneron hills in their golden colour in winter. The Tanneron mountain range is therefore one of the remarkable sites where mimosa-filled walks are most enjoyable! The birthplace of mimosa cultivation, you will discover numerous paths that will guide you into the recesses of a botanical walk, punctuated with unimpeded views over the Mediterranean sea. The Tanneron mountain range is a true lookout point above the Côte d’Azur offering a multitude of family walks perfect for all seasons:

– The La Vernède walk,
– Le Grand Duc,
– The Tanneron Peaks.

If you prefer to have a guide to accompany you and tell you all the secrets of the mimosa, head to the Mandelieu Tourist Information Centre. They will put you in contact with enthusiastic guides like Philippe Dejoux, Maddy Polomeni or Yoann Cenni.

YES, YOU CAN EAT MIMOSA!

The Côte d’Azur is known for its regional products. Provencal-style aioli, Provencal-style stew, anchoiade, Socca Niçoise… there are countless gourmet specialties.

In Mandelieu, the mimosa is cooked and embodies the Côte d’Azur’s winter sun!

The Pastry Chef at the Boutique de L’Oasis, Mathieu Marchand, was inspired by these little yellow balls spread over the Estérel mountain range.He challenged himself to combine his passion for cuisine and this flower. This work gave rise to a sweet treat, sold fleetingly in February, in the Oasis boutique, known as the “Mimoasis”. This is a mimosa and white chocolate flavoured cheesecake-style tartlet… A delight for the tastebuds!

Mathieu Marchand didn’t stop there! For winter 2023, he has created a mimosa macaron and a mimosa ice cream that will also be available on menu at the boutique and in the Oasis Tearoom.

“Chez Louise”, the bright flower pompoms are also showcased in gourmet creations.

The ice-cream maker, Laurent Rombi, has dreamt up recipes with floral notes paying homage to the people of Mandelieu: a mimosa ice cream and a honey mimosa ice cream, with a delicate, perfumed flavour, enhanced with a touch of honey.

The restaurants of Mandelieu also offer desserts inspired by the mimosa: Crème brulée with mimosa at Chez Rose (Hôtel Casarose), Mimosa millefeuille  at the La Rotonde restaurant …

AN OPEN-AIR EXHIBITION: THE MIMOSA STORY

The Mimosa Capital means the Mimosa Museum!

An arboretum has been created on almost 10,000 m² in the heart of the Emmanuelle de Marande Park. It is the green lung of the historic mimosa growing district. Here, you’ll find a walk punctuated with some one hundred different species of mimosa, with signs characterizing each one. In the heart of the park, the Mimosa Capital has mounted an open air exhibition entitled “The Mimosa Story”, recounting the entire history and development of mimosa growing. This exhibition tells of the contribution of each one to the construction of a national image for the town of Mandelieu. Since the arrival of the mimosa, the town has acquired an identity and a brand thanks to laborious work and to Côte d’Azur know-how. Today, Mandelieu-La Napoule has carved itself a major place in the winter tourism landscape, both in France and beyond its borders, hence its title as the Mimosa Capital.

The aim of this exhibition is to pay homage to the mimosa-growing families, to those who, thanks to their work as of the 1920s, were able to export this fragile and delicate flower that covers the Côte d’Azur hills every winter.

During the flowering season, guided visits to the park can be arranged through the Mandelieu-La Napoule Tourist Information Centre.