L'atelier au mimosa, Pierre Bonnard, 1935
Between Carnival, the Fete du Citron and the various flower festivals, you really do want to get out of town, so it’s the perfect time to check out the largest mimosa forest in Europe, which is in peak bloom right now.
Just 24 km from Cannes lies The Tanneron, a forest that suddenly turns bright yellow every February. All this is thanks to an English Lord, who brought the mimosa plant over from Australia for use in the Grasse perfume industry, whereupon the fragrant flower completely took over. Due to the cold snap and snow earlier this year, the display is less fiery than usual, but still totally worth seeing.
You can experience the forest with an easy scenic drive: take the A8, get off at Mandelieu-centre, then from town take the RD 92 towards Tanneron. The 12km drive starts with panoramic coastal views and finishes at the tiny perched village of Tanneron where you can have lunch then head back …or continue on the D38 to Lake St. Cassien where you can then catch the A8 for the return.
But better yet, have a picnic! Four km after you leave Mandelieu there’s a small parking lot at the trail head. A large map at the picnic area details all your possibilities, but here are the instructions for a gentle 2-hour loop. Click on ‘visualize la carte’ to see the map.
On your picnic, pack a split of Champagne and a little OJ: American Sunday brunches often feature a kind of kir made with Champagne and orange juice called a Mimosa… It wasn’t until coming here and seeing this petillant flower that I understood the name… Cheers!
Artwork from WikiPaintings, posted under Fair Use
Great post with art, food, wine, travel! Wish I were there BUT my own glade of mimosa in my California garden is full-on yellow right now!
Great idea for a picnic. Even one of these trees is an amazing site.
I certainly will go there. And with the champagne, of course !
Grazie
Carlo