The Côte d'Azur celebrates its flowers

HORTICULTURAL EXPERTISE THAT ENDURES ON THE CÔTE D’AZUR

Did you know? For the Côte d’Azur, flowers have always been more than a mere pleasure; they have long been a vital source of income. The people of Nice and Antibes cultivated carnations. The people of Grasse transformed the petals of May roses and jasmine into subtle perfumes, while Tourrettes-sur-Loup was devoted to violets. That page has now been turned, although a few remarkable farms have survived to the present day. The Côte d’Azur has not forgotten its horticultural past, however, and celebrates it with pomp and beauty through numerous traditional festivals.

Un Éclat Floral at
La Colle-sur-Loup

Every year, La Colle-sur-Loup enthusiastically hosts its famous Fête de la Rose“Autour de la Rose”, an event steeped in tradition and conviviality.

On this special day, the town is transformed into a veritable floral paradise, where the streets are adorned with the brilliant colors of roses and the markets are overflowing with fresh bouquets.

Locals and visitors alike flock to celebrate this emblematic flower in a warm and festive atmosphere.

Throughout the day, various activities are offered, from parades to open-air concerts, allowing everyone to fully immerse themselves in the enchanting world of the rose.

The festival is an ideal opportunity to discover and appreciate the diversity of rose varieties, and to share moments of conviviality with the local community.

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SUMMER SMELLS GOOD: CAN YOU SMELL THE SWEET PERFUME OF JASMINE?

The Grasse region is home to another treasure: the “jasminum grandiflorum” or famous jasmine!

Join us for the Fête du jasmin, from Friday August 1 to Sunday August 03, 2025.

With its sensual fragrance, subtly blending floral and fruity notes, this precious ingredient is highly prized by renowned perfumers.

Like the rose, jasmine occupies a special place in the hearts of the region’s inhabitants, and has been the object of a veritable cult for over 70 years.

Every first weekend in August, Grasse lights up to celebrate the start of the jasmine harvest. With fireworks, traditional dances, artistic and folkloric entertainment, and jasmine water sprinkling rituals, the town offers a vibrant spectacle of joy and conviviality for three days.

Don’t miss the corso fleuri, the highlight of the festival, when the streets are transformed into a fragrant Garden of Eden. Stay tuned for upcoming dates to soak up the enchanting atmosphere and discover the magic of jasmine in Grasse.

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Orange blossom in Vallauris

In Vallauris, the Orange Blossom is celebrated in mid-May, spreading its festive wings in a vibrant burst of tradition.

It all kicks off with a grand ceremony, a peasant parade where the authenticity of traditional costumes resonates with the very soul of the land. It’s a veritable open-air spectacle, an explosion of shimmering colors and intoxicating fragrances that envelop the city streets.

Marching to the ancestral rhythm of their steps, participants fervently celebrate the heritage of their ancestors, paying homage to this emblematic flower that has made the region famous.

From pickers’ parades to fragrant fougassette competitions, every moment offers a vibrant immersion in this enchanting universe. A day of convivial festivities, with dances, demonstrations and culinary delights, where the richness of Provence is revealed at its best.

It’s a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in local history and traditions, while creating unforgettable memories in a warm, authentic atmosphere.

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