Mandelieu-La Napoule, Mimosa Capital

The mimosa, the Côte d’Azur’s winter sun!

From mid-December to March, when the mimosa trees are in flower, the yellow pompons light up the hills of Tanneron and the Esterel Massif. The Mimosa Capital, Mandelieu-La Napoule, has plenty of ideas for enjoying this colourful flower. Hikes, gourmet breaks, workshops, souvenirs, festivities… the Mimosa can be celebrated, eaten, smelled and contemplated like nowhere else.

Mandelieu-La Napoule and the mimosa, a history of botanists

The Nabonnand family, famous in the horticultural world, settled in Golfe-Juan in the 19th century to make a living from their passion for roses. Budding botanists, the family imported an acacia tree from Australia in 1860, and it was a surprising success the following winter! Its thousands of golden buds seduced famous winter visitors such as Lord Brougham and the Marquis de Morés… And so the Nabonnands set about adorning their majestic estates.

After acclimatising spectacularly and conquering the neighbouring hills in the wild, the Nabonnand sons quickly realised the tree’s potential. They decided to multiply the varieties of mimosa and, to this end, Clément Nabonnand settled in Mandelieu-La Napoule.

The town is ideally situated between the Siagne and the Mediterranean, at the foot of the Estérel and Tanneron ranges . This position and the Mediterranean climate mean that the mimosa grows in abundance every winter, covering all the surrounding hills in yellow. As a result, Mandelieu-La Napoule‘s reputation as the Mimosa Capital is cultivated year after year.

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Mandelieu has been celebrating the mimosa since 1931!

For 95 years, Mandelieu has been celebrating the mimosa, in particular through the Mimosa Festival, which takes place every February and offers residents and visitors a festive, popular and joyful programme of parades, processions, entertainment, mimosa distributions, a grand banquet, fireworks, concerts, a children’s carnival…

For 5 days, the Fête du Mimosa takes place all over the town: from Capitou, the historic mimosa district, to the Place de France, to the seafront, opposite the spectacular Château de La Napoule; and finally, on Sunday afternoon: the unmissable corso fleuri – whose floats are quilted with mimosa by some 450 volunteers.

A few figures

The Mandelieu Mimosa Festival traditionally involves 8 tonnes of mimosa, 400 artists, 450 volunteers and 40,000 people over 5 days of festivities.

Find out more

Mandelieu, the mimosa paradise, winter sunshine on the Côte d’Azur.

Mandelieu is also the Mimosa Capital, and during the flowering period, which runs from late December to early March on the hills of Tanneron, the Tourist Office and its partners offer a mimosa-themed programme: events, ephemeral installations and creative workshops, walks and excursions, visits to forceries and arboretums, delicacies, perfumery and decoration…

Full programme and accommodation available soon at: www.mandelieu-tourisme.com.

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Walking under the mimosa

The Côte d’Azur has some exceptional walking trails in store for its visitors, and when the mimosa comes into flower, these paths light up in golden yellow to offer a sensory experience like no other. In Mandelieu-La Napoule, the mimosa capital, the Massif de Tanneron is a veritable belvedere overlooking the Mediterranean coastline. There are several routes for walkers:

Le Grand Duc – The queen of hikes A must-see, the Grand Duc municipal forest and its 30km of signposted trails offer exceptional views of the Côte d’Azur coastline. Located on the lower slopes of the Tanneron and managed by the ONF, this 93-hectare forest is the ideal place to enjoy the mimosa in flowerwith family and friends in winter. Picnic tables are set up at the start of the hiking trails.

Le Vallon de la Vernède – The secret walk Nestling just a stone’s throw from the historic mimosa-growing district of Capitou, this confidential walk plunges visitors into the largest mimosa forest in the area. Enjoy it in the company of a guide to discover all the botanical riches of the hills surrounding Mandelieu. Hiking boots recommended.

Discover all the mimeographed walks

The mimosa route: a sensory itinerary

From January to March, the Côte d’Azur is bathed in yellow as the mimosa blooms.

For 130 km, from Bormes-Les-Mimosas to Grasse, the mimosa route takes you through coastline and forest under the symbol of the Côte d’Azur in winter: the mimosa.

This tourist route will take you on a journey of authenticity, Côte d’Azur terroir, unsuspected heritage, intoxicating fragrances and a festive atmosphere!

Take advantage of this itinerary to contemplate the remarkable gardens and breathe in the scent of the mimosa, heighten your senses by sampling mimosa-flavoured specialities, meet the mimosa growers who are passionate about this very special flower and enjoy an olfactory experience by creating your own mimosa-scented perfumes.

For an even crazier experience, get behind the wheel of a 2CV with Mademoiselle Riviera. As well as driving along the yellow-coloured roads, the “special Mademoiselle Riviera” experience will include a gourmet stop! Ready to taste the “Mimocello” or the mimosa syrup served on a fresh goat’s cheese?

Discover the Mimosa Route

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Mimosa as a gift in all its forms

After the gourmet mimosa, the gift mimosa!

TheMandelieu-La Napoule Tourist Office gift shop offers a range of products dedicated to the mimosa, either in person or online! Toilet waters, hand towels, soap boxes, candles… there are plenty of souvenirs to delight your loved ones.

If your loved ones are interested in handicrafts, why not offer them a perfume creation workshop for adults and children? A unique perfumer’s experience with the Molinard perfume organ.

For Valentine’s Day, forget the traditional rose bouquet! Opt for the colourful, local, fragrant and unusual mimosa bouquet!

Not to mention the originality of these gift ideas derived from the mimosa, as these products are grown and created on the Côte d’Azur! Give the gift of pleasure and help the planet at the same time – isn’t that a winning combination?