Drive the mimosa route in southern France with your motorhome!

The Côte d'Azur, also known as the French Riviera, is a popular coastal region in south-eastern France, along the Mediterranean Sea. The region is known for its beautiful landscapes, glamorous seaside resorts and mild climate. Where did you also know that the region is also very popular between January and March because of the mimosa? Join us on a motorhome-trip to this region and discover the fragrant and golden yellow Route du Mimosa!

You may never have heard of it, but the mimosa is a tree and has golden-yellow spheres. Originally from Australia, the mimosa was only introduced around the French town of Grasse - also known as the capital of the perfume industry - in the 19th century. Since then, the mimosa has spread across the landscape of the French Riviera and today you can even follow a special route to admire this tree.

This route, of 130 kilometres, consists of eight yellow and fragrant stops that are at their best between January and March. This is when the mimosa trees are in full bloom! Get in your motorhome and drive to the eight places where you can admire these yellow trees!

You start this motorhome route in the mimosa capital. Indeed, in Bormes-les-Mimosas, a 12th-century medieval village, you'll find more than 90 different species of mimosa trees growing there. The village attracts tourists all year round, but especially during the mimosa season. During this period, festivals, and events, such as a flower parade, are also often organised in honour of the mimosa. 

Besides the mimosa trees, the village itself is also beautiful, with its cosy streets, many steps, views over the Mediterranean Sea and medieval character. The village is also home to a botanical garden, with over 500 plant species, where you can take a guided tour. Or head to the small peninsula close to this village and visit Fort de Brégançon.

Want to stay here? Then you can park your motorhome at the free motorhome stopover Bormes-les-Mimosas.

- You will find more than 90 varieties of mimosas in this medieval village! © Var Tourisme | Michel Caraisco

From Bormes-les-Mimosas, drive on to your next stop: Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer. A charming village, 80% of which consists of cork oaks, heather and, of course, mimosa. Plus, the village is right on the Mediterranean Sea, making it a great place for sea and nature lovers. If you want to learn all about the different varieties of the mimosa, make sure you go out with a guide here. Or put on your own hiking boots and go out in this area. You are going to see enough! 

Spend the night with your motorhome nearby at motorhome stopover Cavalière.

- Feast your eyes in Royal-Canadel-sur-Mer! © G Roumestan

Of course, the village of Sainte-Maxime is also located along the Mediterranean coast. The village has a coastline of 11 kilometres, so taking a walk on the beach here is absolutely possible! If you drive to this village, you can also admire another kind of sea during the flowering period of the mimosa. This makes for breathtaking views, and you can take beautiful photos. In honour of the mimosa, a flower parade is also organised here, which is definitely worth a visit. 

Are you a chocolate lover? Then don't leave without having visited Chocolateria La Muscadine. Here you will find handmade chocolates with flavours of lavender, orange blossom and, of course, mimosa! 

Park your motorhome at Parking du Rond-Point Neuenbürg if you want to stay overnight in Sainte-Maxime.

- You can also hike well in the Pointe des Sardinaux park! © Var Tourisme / Alexia Bordelongue 

From Sainte-Maxime, continue along the coast to your next stop: Sainte-Raphaël. In this lively seaside resort, a visit to Le Palet d'Or is not to be missed! Here you can taste a sweet made from the mimosa: Mimosas d'Agay. Want to do something active and educational? Then put on your hiking boots and walk around the Peguières lakes or join an excursion with a nature guide. The guide will be happy to tell you all about the mimosa!

In Sainte-Raphaël, unfortunately, there is no motorhome stopover. If you want to spend the night nearby, you can do so at Chez Marcel. This motorhome stopover is half an hour's drive from Sainte-Raphaël.

- An enthusiastic guide will be happy to tell you all about the mimosa! © G. Roumestan

The drive to your next stop is marked by the red rocks of the Massif de l'Esterel, topped by golden yellow mimosa. Be sure to stop along the way to take photos of this, as it is a fantastic sight! Or choose to stop at the Massif de l'Esterel itself and visit these 250-million-year-old red rocks.

Mandelieu-la-Napoule is adorned with the flowers during the mimosa's flowering period, and it has hosted the Fête du Mimosa since the 1930s. This is a festival of colour and flowers held for no less than five days. Besides these festivities, a visit to Chateau la Napoule should not be missed. Here you will find the cultural and historical heritage of Henry and Marie Clews, two American artists.

After admiring everything, finish the day with a home-made mimosa ice cream at an ice cream shop in the village.

You can spend the night with your motorhome at Camping-Car Park Lac de Saint-Cassien. Note: one-time purchase pass'etapes is required. From this motorhome stopover, you can reach Mandelieu-la-Napoule and your next stop in half an hour!

– If you've visited this motorhome stopover, don't forget to leave photos and a review via the Camperstop App! You'll be helping thousands of European motorhome owners by doing so.

- In bloom, the red rocks of Massif de l'Esterel are even more beautiful! © Var Tourisme / Emmanuel Dautant

Located on the hilltop of the Pays de Fayenne, Tanneron is completely covered in mimosa flowers during the flowering period. Tanneron is known as the largest mimosa forest in Europe! Several workshops are organised in the village, such as a mimosa-based cookie-making workshop. In addition, you can again take part in a guided walk through the mimosa orchards here. Extra fun: there are places here where you can pick the mimosa!

Also visit the 19th-century Notre-Dame de Peygros here. This church is located at the top of the Peygros hill. From there, you have a fantastic 360° panoramic view. So you can see the bay of Cannes, but also Grasse and, of course, the village of Tanneron itself.

- Some places allow you to pick mimosa yourself! © G. Roumestan

Drive past the mimosa trees to Pégomas! Located between the mountains and the sea, this village was built in the 16th century. You will find many rivers and greenery. The perfect place for a walk and water bird watching!

Feeling hungry after a walk? Then sit down on one of the cosy terraces and order a cup of coffee with the cake speciality mimosette. In fact, this delicacy is only available in the mimosa season. 

Want to take home a souvenir of this motorhome route? Then visit La Colline des Mimosas, a mimosa farm. The family of this farm has been growing mimosa, among other things, since 1930. You can buy scented candles and soap in addition to bouquets here!

- The roads during your route are also beautiful when the mimosa blooms! © G. Roumestan

From Pégomas, you drive on to Grasse. Most of France's perfume is made in this city. A visit to one of the perfume museums is therefore not to be missed! At one, your senses will be stimulated in various ways, you will learn all about the history of perfume and at the other you will get to make your own perfume. How fun is that to end this motorhome route!

Besides the many perfume shops, you will also find small Provencal boutiques in the streets of Grasse where you can buy products from the region. Think olive oil, liqueurs, honey, and jams. 

.Unfortunately, you won't find a motorhome stopover in Grasse. You can choose to park your motorhome at the village of Saint-Valleir-de-Thiey further down the road. This motorhome stopover is close to the Grotte de Baume Obscure. 

- End the motorhome route with a visit to a perfume museum! © Cote-d-Azur-France / GaelSIMON

You'll find lots of motorhome routes on our blog page! How about a motorhome route through Spain and Portugal, a motorhome route through Corbières or a motorhome route along the Barockstrasse in Germany.