Ramblings of a retiree in France
Sometimes I don’t think I bang the drum enough about the fabulous area where I live. This week it’s half-term (for two weeks) and it’s time for the Carnival in Nice, the Citrus Festival in Menton and Mimosa celebrations the length of the coast. Mimosa (or wattle as I understand it’s called in Australia) is the vibrant sunshine yellow symbol of winter in the south of France and a sure sign that spring is just around the corner.
The bright yellow flower of this scented plant grows prolifically in southern France, particularly in the Var region, where the Cote d’Azur and Provence meet. Between January and March, from Bormes-les-Mimosas to Grasse, eight villages offer a journey through the land of these gorgeous, scented, little, yellow flowers: artisan chocolate-makers and bakers, ‘corsos’ and other traditional festivals, greenhouses, garden centres, perfumers. This route provides 130km of magnificent countryside where the blue sea and sky mixes with the brilliant green and yellow of the Mimosa-covered hills.
With its roots in the Carnival, the Corso Fleuri are now a key part of Var festival traditions. On the Saturday, the floats are decorated with thousands of flowers, and on the Sunday, they are paraded through the streets of the village.
Part of the acacia family, Mimosa was originally found in tropical areas, and was imported to the French Riviera by the English during 19th century to decorate their gardens. The newly introduced plant loved the climate and the soil, and Mimosa growers proliferated. It’s now used exstensively in the perfume industry and, of course, in bouquets for its exquisite beauty and gorgeous vibrant colour. So where are the best spots to see Mimosa?
One of the prettiest floral villages in France. This ancient town is home to 90 different species of mimosa and celebrates with an annual festival at the end of January. ‘Mimosalia’ is the first botanical event of the year. An event for plant-lovers, it brings together the biggest garden centre owners and collectors in France. There are over 80 exhibitors of rare and unusual varieties, decoration and garden furniture, as well as plant-related activities, such as workshops for all ages, visits to the Town gardens and exhibitions.
The principal area of Mimosa production on the Riviera is also famous for its annual Mimosa festival (19-26 Feb). Plus, local restauranteurs the Raimbault brothers created La Tarte Mimosée.
Internationally famous for its place in the world’s perfume industry, the town boasts gorgeous architecture including a magnificent cathedral. The Perfume Museum shows the part Mimosa has played in the success of Grasse’s perfume industry.
Take the staircase from the centre of the village down to the sea and enjoy the spectacular views over the mimosa forests.
Beautiful botanical gardens, an elegant seaside resort and a laid back vibe make this town well worth a visit. Local chocolatier Jean-Louis Vaissaud (pictured above) has created mimosa-flavoured chocolates to honour the famous flower.
The reddish coloured volcanic rock contrasts stunningly with the yellow Mimosa. Another famous local chocolate maker, Didier Carrie, has created a unique recipe called Le Mimosa d’Agay, a white truffle chocolate, flavoured with plant liquors and lemons, covered with mimosa powder.
This crystalline rock mountain forms a link between the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes, and is almost entirely covered in Mimosa and eucalyptus forest. This is the largest area of Mimosa, with both cultivated and wild areas covering 200 hectares! A real riot of emerald green, azure blue and gold.
Keen gardeners will love this place which has the largest concentration of mimosa in the whole of France, forests of mimosa glow in winter. I confess I love riding around here solely because of the Mimosa.
Mimosa, olive trees and vines all grow here in abundance. But there’s also another edible, local speciality, La Mimosette, a cream-filled brioche from Pégomas, decorated with mimosa seeds which is only made during the Mimosa festival.
They are beautiful. The bright yellow is gorgeous 🌼🌟
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It’s glorious
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Oh, how I love this post. Interestingly enough, I have never seen a yellow mimosa in the US, though there must be some somewhere.
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I would think so Angela
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I didn’t know that a mimosa was a tree. I only know that word as a mixed drink with orange juice and champagne. The trees are beautiful. So happy to know this now. 💛
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My pleasure Ally
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It must be a beautiful area travel through.
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It is fabulous
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It must be stunning to see all those plants in bloom!
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It really is!
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It sounds heavenly.
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It sounds heavenly.
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It sounds heavenly.
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Will do!
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Beautiful ! I love Mimosa ! Thanks a lot for this post , Sheree !
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You’re welcome Mizou
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Amazing…. Well done
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Beautiful flowers!! I did not know mimosas were anything other than the drink! I learned something new today!! Thanks!!
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My pleasure
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Lovely; Spring can’t be far behind.
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No indeed
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It’s pretty. I’ve never seen it…
💕🕯✨
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It’s glorious, particularly as it flowers in the winter.
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Yes Sheree you don’t bang the drum enough about your fabulous area where you live. I would love to see more. Yes, we call it wattle. Lyn
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Okay, I’ll try and feature more.
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Mimosa! Is that what’s it’s called??? I’ve seen some people growing it around where I live (SoCal) and I never knew what it was, but have always loved it! Beautiful pictures
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Thank you
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I love mimosa, I love yellow, a blog to brighten up this wet winter. I loved the wattle in Australia and at school we had the Golden Wattle Cookery Book for home science.
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That is sunshine right there in the pot. 🌞😊😍
Beautiful flowers, thanks for sharing.
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A pleasure!
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Gorgeous. Colour and chocolates and cake as well. Made me happy just thinking about it!
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Glorious colour! Australian Wattle (aka Mimosa) is blamed for allergic rhinitis and there’s an old wives tale about it being bad luck to bring into the house. My grandmother wouldn’t go near it.
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Interesting!
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Unfortunately Mimosa is a tropical weed in Australia. The Mimosa from South America is a of the legume family Fabaceae. It is the leaf structure which “lumps” Mimosa with Acacias and Albizias. Our Acacias or Wattles are splendid flowering shrubs sending a yellow hue through the bush in Spring although they can become a weed in other countries.
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I did not know that! Our Mimosas are trees.
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Pingback: Magical Mimosa — View from the Back | CURIOSIDADES NA INTERNET
A good drum roll
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Thanks Derrick
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thanks for becoming a follower of my blog
it makes it easier for me to also follow you
I love your site
it reminds me of many a holiday we have had in the south of france
it’s a very lovely place to be
and the food is wonderful too
thanks for sharing
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Pleasure
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