From the past to the present, the French Riviera is famous for its flowers: discover the traditional events that celebrate these gifts of the earth!
Did you know that for the French Riviera, flowers have always been more than just a simple pleasure? For a long time they were a major source of income. Nice and Antibes, for example, grew carnation; Grasse turned rose and jasmine petals into perfumes; while in Tourrettes-sur-Loup people devoted themselves entirely to violets.
The page has now been turned, although some activities known for their know-how have survived to this day. The French Riviera has by no means forgotten its past and celebrates it with splendor and beauty through numerous traditional festivals.
Grasse has for centuries had a special relationship with the Centifolia, the most intoxicating of roses. Ties that were further strengthened in 1970, the date of the first ExpoRose, Europe’s largest exhibition of cut roses. For one long weekend in May, the city, its gardens and fountains are covered with thousands of flowers and countless bouquets that can bring together up to 300 roses. Olfactory journey, culinary workshops, contests and market: the May rose and its sisters are the focus of many activities. Pure poetry to be discovered without moderation!
The sensuality of its fragrance, both floral and fruity, makes it a highly valued component of great perfumers. It is therefore not surprising that, like the rose, it is the object of a veritable cult here. This has been celebrated for more than 70 years on the first weekend in August, which marks the beginning of the harvest. Fireworks, dancing, folklore or artistic entertainment, jasmine water sprays and a parade of flowers: Grasse smells of joy and the sweetness of life for three days.
Every town on the French Riviera maintains the tradition on a day of popular festivities.
In March, the Fête des Violettes is the pretext for a big Sunday of jubilation with a craft and food market, workshops, lectures, children’s entertainment and, of course, the flowering of Tourrettan’s streets and squares.
In Vallauris, the Orange Blossom Festival takes place in mid-May. The festivities begin with a great custom: the parade of peasants in traditional dress. A colorful and fragrant spectacle, not to be missed on the French Riviera!
In winter, when the rest of Europe warms up in front of its fireplace, the people of the Côte d’Azur take to the streets to admire young women parading on colorful floats: it’s called the flower parade. This is the climax of the Mimosa Festival, in Mandelieu-la Napoule, the land of choice for these golden balls with inimitable scents. Not forgetting the famous Mimosa festivals in Sainte-Maxime or Bormes-les-Mimosas.
Finally, one of the most popular traditions of the Nice Carnival is the famous Battle of the Flowers during which more than 100,000 flowers are offered to the public. Just a few kilometers away awaits you the floral naval combat in Villefranche-sur-Mer!