Did you know that if the Mimosa grows between December 15 and March 15 it is because it originates from Australia? Introduced in Europe during the great voyages of Captain Cook in the middle of the 19th century, it has since acclimatized well on the Côte d'Azur thanks to its favorable climate (even if it can withstand temperatures of up to -7°C). This small tree which can reach 25 m high in the wild is covered with hermaphroditic flowers appreciated for their luminous yellow but also for their downy aspect, each branch of 13 to 42 flowers being dressed with small yellow and silky pompons of approximately 5 mm of diameter.
Every winter, the accacia dealbate perfumes the entire Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, which even devotes a 130-kilometer route to the spectacle of this flowering. Organized around 8 cities (Bormes-les-Mimosas, Le Rayol Canadel, Sainte-Maxime, St-Raphael, Tanneron, Pégomas, Grasse), the route has as a highlight the city of Mandelieu.
Every February, Mandelieu la Napoule comes alive around the pretty yellow flower: parade of flowered floats, night show, temporary exhibitions, election of Miss Mimosa... An olfactory atmosphere perfumes the neighborhoods of this municipality of the Alpes-Maritimes which has, in Tanneron, the largest forest of Mimosa in Europe.
For the more sporty, this forest is accessible via various walks or hikes that can be done from the city and offer, to perfect this natural resource in the middle of winter, magnificent views of the sea.
To follow in the footsteps of the delicate and radiant little flower, discover more about this mimosa route.
Valérie from Comme des Français
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