Corso Fleuri du Mimosa de Bormes-les-Mimosas

A Century-Old Floral Tradition Since 1920

The Corso Fleuri du Mimosa de Bormes-les-Mimosas is one of the most spectacular floral events on the Provençal coast. Since 1920, every mid-February, the village of Bormes-les-Mimosas dons its finest attire to host a parade of floats entirely covered with freshly picked mimosa clusters. This unique spectacle, both artistic and natural, celebrates the blooming of mimosa—a symbol of Bormes and the entire Var hinterland—in an explosion of golden yellow and intoxicating scents.

The event celebrated its 83rd edition in 2026, demonstrating remarkable longevity that spans centuries while constantly renewing its artistic creations. Each year, floral artists and local associations vie for ingenuity to design increasingly spectacular floats, entirely adorned with fresh mimosa flowers, forming living tableaux and strikingly beautiful floral compositions.

Mimosa, the Soul of Bormes-les-Mimosas

Bormes-les-Mimosas derives its name from this Australian shrub (Acacia dealbata) that found an ideal adopted home in the Var. Mimosa was introduced to the French Riviera in the 19th century and spread with exceptional vitality in the forests and gardens of the Massif des Maures, of which Bormes is the gateway. From late January through February, the hillsides are covered with fragrant golden clusters, transforming the landscape into an unrealistically beautiful yellow and green watercolor.

The cultivation and production of mimosa have become an important economic activity for the region: the Tanneron, the Massif de l'Estérel, and the hills around Bormes produce millions of mimosa stems each winter, exported throughout France and Europe. The mimosa harvest for the corso mobilizes entire teams for several weeks, requiring over 12 tons of flowers to adorn the parade floats.

The Spectacle of Flower-Adorned Floats

On the day of the corso, the floats parade along the main avenue of Bormes, preceded and accompanied by majorettes, brass bands, folk groups, and dancers in Provençal costumes. Each float is an ephemeral work of art: artisans and volunteers spend weeks creating structures onto which thousands of mimosa clusters are meticulously attached, forming patterns, characters, or landscapes of remarkable precision and delicacy.

Flower throwers perched on the floats offer spectators armfuls of fresh mimosa, perfuming the hands and clothes of the lucky recipients. This festive ritual of floral gifting is one of the most anticipated and popular moments of the corso, creating warm interaction between the parade and the crowd gathered on the sidewalks.

With approximately 80,000 flowers mobilized to decorate the floats, the Corso Fleuri de Bormes is a logistical and artistic feat. The teams of florists often work through the night before the parade to ensure the mimosa clusters remain fresh and fragrant throughout the procession.

A Medieval Village at the Heart of the Spectacle

Bormes-les-Mimosas is one of the most beautiful villages in Provence. Its old medieval center, perched at 180 meters above sea level, overlooks the hills of the Massif des Maures and offers exceptional views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Golden Isles (Porquerolles, Port-Cros, Île du Levant). Its flowery alleyways, colorful facades, and stone staircases make Bormes one of the most photographed villages in France, repeatedly voted among the Most Beautiful Villages in France.

During the corso, the entire village participates in the celebration: decorated houses, lively terraces, shops adorned with mimosa. The festival goes beyond a simple parade to become a collective celebration of nature's beauty and Provençal identity, in a setting of rare beauty.

The Mimosa Route: An Invitation to Travel

The Corso Fleuri is part of a larger tourist route: the Mimosa Route, which connects Mandelieu-la-Napoule to Bormes-les-Mimosas, passing through Tanneron, Grasse, Cannes, the Massif de l'Estérel, and the hills of the Var hinterland. This 130-kilometer route allows visitors to discover all the landscapes of the mimosa bloom, from late January to mid-March, in an unparalleled explosion of colors and scents in Europe.

A Family-Friendly and Accessible Event

The Corso Fleuri de Bormes is a quintessential family event, bringing together young and old in a festive and colorful atmosphere. Children love the brass bands, majorettes, and mimosa throws from the floats. The warm and friendly atmosphere, typically Provençal, makes this celebration an unforgettable memory for all visitors. Entertainment and markets accompany the parade, allowing the festivities to be extended and local crafts and flavors to be discovered.