Mimosa Festival Mandelieu-La Napoule dates, atmosphere and holiday ideas
Written by Sabine Nussbaum Your host RivieraBooking Last update: 25/01/2025
Every winter, the town of Mandelieu-La Napoule celebrates its emblematic flower with one of the most dazzling events on the French Riviera: the Mimosa Festival. Flower parades, festive entertainment, nature walks and endless yellow landscapes... it's the perfect place to enjoy a sunny break in February, far from the summer crowds.
Above all, this event combines perfectly with other highlights of winter on the French Riviera, such as the Nice Carnival or the Menton Lemon Festival®, for a stay of a few days... or up to a month. For an overview of the season's major events, visit our page on events on the French Riviera: https://www.rivierabooking.fr/en/evenements-cote-d-azur
The Mimosa Festival: a unique winter tradition on the French Riviera
The Mimosa Festival celebrates the flowering of the mimosa, which was introduced to the French Riviera in the 19th century and has since become a true local symbol. In Mandelieu-La Napoule, the event takes on a festive dimension with:
-
flower parades (floats decorated with thousands of flowers),
-
street entertainment,
-
family shows,
-
a warm and friendly atmosphere.
This event is open to everyone and is very popular with couples, families and travellers looking for an authentic local experience.
Dates & ideal period
The Mimosa Festival takes place every year in February, usually lasting four to five days, with a different theme each year.
The exact dates and detailed programme vary each year. We recommend checking the latest information on the official website of the Mandelieu-La Napoule Tourist Office.
Even outside the parade days, this is still an ideal time to enjoy the area:
-
mimosas in bloom,
-
nature walks,
-
guided tours,
-
and mild weather for the season.
What to do around Mimosa Festival? (beyond the parades)
Free walks through the mimosa landscapes
Around Mandelieu, several areas are renowned for their hills covered with mimosa trees:
-
the Tanneron Massif
-
the famous Mimosa Route
-
the surroundings of Pégomas and Tanneron
You can do the following there:
-
easy walks,
-
accessible hikes,
-
photo shoots,
-
moments in nature, far from the hustle and bustle.
Please note: mimosas are often grown on private land. You can admire them and take photographs, but you cannot pick them freely.
Guided tours & accompanied walks (official)
To go beyond a simple stroll, the Mandelieu-La Napoule Tourist Office offers a selection of guided tours and supervised workshops every winter, available by reservation. These experiences may include:
-
guided walks around the mimosa trees,
-
botany or nature workshops,
-
heritage tours of Mandelieu and its surroundings,
-
seasonal themed discoveries.
The activities offered vary depending on the year and season.
You can view the available offers here:
https://boutique.mandelieu-tourisme.com/ateliers-visites.html
This is an excellent option if you want to:
-
understand the local history of mimosa,
-
explore the region with a guide,
-
enjoy a more immersive and educational experience.
Mimosa & perfume: the perfect combination with Grasse
Just 30 minutes from Mandelieu, Grasse is the ideal place to extend your mimosa-themed holiday. As the world capital of perfume, Grasse offers an insight into:
-
how certain flowers (including mimosa) are used in perfumery,
-
the link between local agriculture and fragrance creation,
-
the history of a UNESCO-listed craft.
It is the perfect cultural complement to the Mimosa Festival, especially if you want to add a sensory dimension to your stay.
Recommended accommodation in Grasse:
Where to stay in Grasse?
Historic centre of Grasse
International capital of perfume
95 m² apartment
2 bedrooms
1 to 6 people
3 bathrooms
3 to 5-day holiday idea: Mimosa & winter warmth
Day 1 – Arrival and settling in (Juan-les-Pins or Grasse) Leisurely stroll, first impressions, local dinner.
Day 2 – Mandelieu & Mimosa Festival Entertainment, flower parades, festive atmosphere.
Day 3 – Mimosa walk in Tanneron Nature, panoramic views, photos, peaceful lunch.
Day 4 – Grasse & the world of perfume Old town, museums, perfumeries, narrow streets.
Day 5 – Sea or villages, depending on your mood Juan-les-Pins, Antibes or back to nature.
Long stay (up to 1 month): Mimosa, Carnival & Lemon
February is an exceptional month to discover the French Riviera at a more leisurely pace. Rather than devoting an entire week to each event, the ideal approach is to combine major events, cultural discoveries and local getaways, changing your base depending on the areas you wish to explore.
Week 1: Mandelieu, mimosa, Grasse and hilltop villages
This first week is perfect for immersing yourself in nature and heritage around mimosa.
On the programme:
-
Mimosa Festival in Mandelieu-La Napoule: flower parades, entertainment and a sunny winter atmosphere
-
Walks along the Mimosa Route and in the Tanneron massif
-
Day trip to Grasse: the world of perfume, the old town, museums
-
Exploring the hilltop villages of the hinterland (Gourdon, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Cabris, etc.)
Staying in Grasse allows you to easily explore Mandelieu, the hinterland and the mimosa hills, while adding a real sensory dimension to your stay.
Recommended accommodation:https://www.rivierabooking.fr/en/appartement-les-senteurs-du-soleil-grasse
Week 2: Nice Carnival, sea and iconic cities
We change the atmosphere for a more urban and seaside week, while remaining flexible.
Suggested itinerary:
-
1 to 2 days dedicated to the Nice Carnival (depending on the highlights chosen)https://www.rivierabooking.fr/en/evenements-cote-d-azur/carnaval-de-nice
-
Visit Nice: old town, Promenade des Anglais, museums
-
Excursion to Cannes (about 20 minutes away)
-
Explore the old town of Antibes
-
Day trip to Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Juan-les-Pins is an excellent base for this week: easy access to trains, walking distance to the sea, and quick travel throughout the central French Riviera.
Recommended accommodation:
Plage de Juan les pins
Centre ville de Juan les pins
Immeuble le Vilmorin
Plage de Juan les pins
Where to stay in Antibes?
Juan les Pins seaside resort
Seaside
56 m² apartment
2 bedrooms
1 to 6 people
Coin repas appartement Juan les pins
Coin salon appartement Juan les pins
Chambre 1 appartement Juan les pins
Coin repas appartement Juan les pins
Week 3: Lemon Festival in Menton, Monaco, Italy... and even snow
Thanks to Juan-les-Pins station, you can spend the week without a car if you wish.
Suggestions :
-
Day trip to Menton for the Lemon Festival®
-
Visit to Monaco
-
Excursion to San Remo in Italy (direct train)
A very popular bonus option in February:
For mountain lovers, it is entirely possible to spend 1 to 2 days in the snow at resorts in the Southern Alps:
In just a few hours, you can go from the sea to the ski slopes: a unique contrast on the French Riviera.
A flexible stay, tailored to your desires
This format allows you to:
-
attend major events in February without overcrowding,
-
enjoy a variety of sea, nature, culture and mountains,
-
adapt the duration (2, 3 or 4 weeks),
-
and choose comfortable, well-located accommodation.
