Bormes-les-Mimosas is my favorite village on the French Riviera. Built on the hillside between Hyères and Saint-Tropez, it has been recognized as one of the most beautiful villages on the Mediterranean coast, with a fantastic view of the Golden Islands: Porquerolles, Port-Cros and the Levant. In this post I give you an overview of a full day in the village and offer you two good restaurant addresses.
To see the mimosas in bloom, you will have to go to Bormes between mid-January and mid-February. It’s impossible not to make a stop at Julien Cavatore ’s nursery . This specialist presents the most beautiful national collection of mimosas distinguished by the French National Conservatory of Specialized Plant Collections, with a dedicated arboretum with nearly 250 species of mimosas, a greenhouse of more than 1000m² which reflects local production, without pesticides and respectful of the environment.
I also advise you to take a stroll in the Gonzalez Park , home to more than 320 varieties of southern plants. Its 3000m² surface area is dotted with banksias, eucalyptus, grevilleas and around forty varieties of mimosas! The last weekend of January, an exhibition and sale of mimosas takes place, Mimosalia , while the last weekend of February, flower floats parade through the cobbled streets.
Outside of the mimosa season, I love going to Bormes between the months of May and July, when the village is transformed into a veritable colorful scene, dotted with multiple flowers. The gardens, alleys, exposed stone walls and houses of the village are adorned with a multitude of flowers in varied colors: bougainvillea, roses, geraniums, agapanthus, hydrangeas, angel's trumpets (in yellow in the photo below ) and many other species offer a festival of colors and scents.
Whether you are passionate about botany, photography enthusiast or simply looking for a moment of relaxation in the middle of an exceptional natural setting, do not hesitate to stroll through the streets for a flowery route. Below, the avenue of bougainvillea offers a sumptuous spectacle.
Climb the cobblestones towards the Place de l'Isclou d'amour to admire the view of the sea and the Golden Islands.
Go up to the castle to observe the view from a little higher up and the roofs of the village. The castle is private and cannot be visited, but the view is worth it.
For the lunch break, I suggest you go to Café de la Cueva . The tables are under the stone vaults or on Place Poulid Cantoun, shaded under a huge weeping willow. The menu uses fresh seasonal produce, the plates are well served and the setting is magical. Prices vary between €16 and €25 for dishes and €8 and €10 for desserts.
Bormes is also nice for its shops. Right next to the restaurant, the Cueva boutique is a real cabinet of curiosities with its antique objects and decorative objects , as well as an original selection of clothes. All along Rue Carnot, you will find other typical Provencal souvenir shops, such as La Maison du Bonheur, Canicule or the Grand Bazar. If you go down Rue Rompi Cuou instead, there is a seller of carpets from all over the world and then various charming boutiques. Another original store is Les Bibis du Midi , a millinery run by Nathalie Papet, a milliner classified as “Artistic Crafts” since 2012 by the Chamber of Trades and Crafts. For her, “there is no head to hat, it’s up to the hat to adapt to your head, and it’s the always renewed challenge that is the spice of my job!”
If you want to discover the surroundings of Bormes-les-Mimosas, I suggest you visit Fort de Brégançon , located on a rocky peak 35m high. A fortified stately residence in the Middle Ages, in 1968 it became the official residence of the presidents of the Republic at the suggestion of General De Gaulle. Since then, all the heads of state of the Fifth Republic have stayed there. If you want to swim, I suggest you go down to Le Lavandou, and more precisely on Jean Blanc beach . There are places along the Avenue of Professor Paul Emile Duroux. Then go down Rue du train des Pignes on foot and find the stairs that go down to the beach. The water is turquoise and clear, don't forget your mask and snorkel and alternate between fish and tanning on the towel.
Back in Bormes-les-Mimosas for dinner, I recommend a beautiful gourmet restaurant: Le Jardin . A cuisine executed by Italian Chef Riccardo Berto, a true fusion of his Venetian roots and Provençal authenticity, enriched with South American touches. In the evening, a €52 appetizer/starter/main course/dessert/mignardises menu and a €86 tasting menu in 6 stages with products such as blue lobster, lamb and red tuna are offered. I opted for the €52 menu and I wasn't disappointed, it was delicious! The restaurant is located in a wooded garden, with a calm stone terrace, decorated with a fountain which creates an atmosphere that is both refreshing and intimate.
As an appetizer, the Chef serves us a revisited tapenade, in the form of green and black olives. A thin layer of cocoa butter that bursts under the tongue at 37 degrees, releasing a liquid with the delicious taste of green or black olive tapenade. A soft focaccia with candied tomatoes and olives is also served.
The Provençal journey continues with a gazpacho of cherry tomatoes and tart cherries, marinated quail eggs and an almond sorbet. For the main course, I tasted a farm guinea fowl with its crispy skin and chanterelle sauce. The confit thigh and herb sabayon were incredibly delicious. To finish, the Provençal mille-feuille with apricots, honey and rosemary leaves us with a sweet note that is very well balanced in taste, and a desire to come back and discover the Chef's €86 menu. Remember to book in advance if you wish to dine in this restaurant.
Don't hesitate to visit Bormes, the trip is worth it, whether in terms of visiting the landscapes, the villages, the shops or the Provençal gastronomy.
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