Bormes-Les-Mimosas
The commune of Bormes-les-Mimosas is not a large one: with fewer than 10,000 people, this city is not nearly as well-known as some of its riviera neighbors like Nice, St. Tropez or Cannes. However, Bormes-Les-Mimosas has several secrets to offer that the rest of the riviera cities do not.
Flowers
Bormes-les-Mimosas is famous for its flowers, plants and arboretums. Two of the most famous arboretums are the Arboretum de Gratteloup and the Arboretum du Ruscas. They are opened to the public and worth a visit for their variety and beauty, especially (but not exclusively!) for those interested in flowers and botany.
Bormes-les-Mimosas also won the 2003 Gold Medal awarded by the Entente Florale, celebrating a city or village with excellent horticultural displays; not only does the city offer organized places to see the plantlife offered, such as the arboretums, but a casual stroll through the city can also lead you to several places of interest, such as the pretty Rue de l'Horloge, the Place l'Isclou d'Amour and the Montée des Écureuils, all of which are home to gorgeous flowers and typical Mediterranean stone-paved streets and walkways.
Mimosa
The mimosa?celebrated in the very name of the town?is one of the few plants that flowers in the winter. The flower of the mimosa is bright yellow, and when it flowers, the landscapes of Provence seem to be brightly tinted with a golden hue.
Bormes-Les-Mimosas features as one of several villages along the Route du Mimosa?the Mimosa Way. During the mimosa season, these villages all host festivals and activities for tourists and locals alike to celebrate this winter flower. In addition, near the end of the season?usually the last weekend of February or the first weekend of March?a parade is organized in Bormes-les-Mimosas, where bright yellow mimosas abound, accompanied by floats and activities.
Fort de Brégancon
Located outside the village and within the commune of Bormes-les-Mimosas, Fort de Brégancon is the official retreat of the President of the French Republic. The fort is built on a small island just off the coast of the main city of Bormes-les-Mimosas, and is used as a sort of French Camp David, where the president of France can go with family and friends to relax and soak in the beautiful Mediterranean climate and scenery.
