Every year the French Riviera is totally yellow in february. From 20th to 27th february Mandelieu-La Napoule celebrates the ‘Fête du Mimosa’ with parades of floats, street events and music. For its 24th edition, the Feast of Mimosa celebrates Marco Polo, his adventures and his many travels around the world. The entire town of Mandelieu lives to the sunny and carnivalesque rhythm of this festival, which earned the title of Capital of Mimosa. The first edition of the festival dates back to 1931 and was created to celebrate the mimosa which gave a significant boost to the local economy.
Native to Australia, mimosa was introduced to Europe in the mid-nineteenth century during one of Captain Cook’s travels. This plant immediately prospered on the Côte d’Azur thanks to its favorable climate and siliceous soil and contributed to the development of the Grasse cosmetic industry. The mimosa, then, has been in the wild throughout the region and mimosists have multiplied throughout the region from Mandelieu to Pégomas to Tanneron. Mandelieu with its festival is just one of the stops on a journey on the Route du Mimosa, 130 km from the coast to the hinterland, from Bormes-les-Mimosas to Grasse. Between January and March it is the ideal time for this eight-step itinerary between the golden yellow of the blooming mimosas, the blue of the Mediterranean and the red of the Estérel Massif in the hinterland. In Bormes-les-Mimosas, a village of medieval origin perched on a hillside and surrounded by 90 different species. Bormes-les-Mimosas is the capital of the mimosa of the Var department and a veritable explosion of yellow from January to March. The Route stops at Grasse, the world capital of perfumes. The history of perfumery is closely linked to this city in the hills. Chanel N5 and Eau Sauvage by Dior and a museum is also dedicated to perfumery. To buy or create your own personal fragrance mixing different essences you can go to the factories of Fragonard, Galimard and Molinard. This touristic route is typically a symbol of the Côte d’Azur, which offers winter in a mild climate, a sort of itinerant holidays between blue azur and yellow sun. Winding between coastline and forests, this road you discover the wealth of the French Riviera, its authenticity, its unique territory, its festive atmosphere, its unsuspected wealth across the fragrant scent of mimosa.
http://www.frenchriviera-tourism.com/
The Flora Journal 