Bormes-les-Mimosas, my heart of Provence🧡

Typical Provencal village, Bormes-les-Mimosas is one of the most beautiful flower-filled villages in France and even in Europe. Bormes stone houses, small flowery alleys, bougainvillea, sea views, Provençal colors... Lots of beautiful things to see!

Every year, I come back for the summer holidays and always have the same emotions: wonder, sparkling eyes, the desire to take pictures of everything. With my family, we do our little annual walk to Bormes as a sort of ritual. I am very attached to this region of the South of France and it is with a lot of love that I share my photos and advice from Bormes with you.

> A village with Provencal architecture

Bormes-les-Mimosas is above all a village in the South and which say South, say Provencal colors. Yellow, orange, beige, red, there are all colors! And that's what makes this village so charming. They then evoke the heat, the sun, the summer and the holidays. To walk in Bormes is to take a little break and discover beautiful houses, pretty stone walls. If ever one day you come to Bormes, your eyes will always be attracted by a color.

In addition, there is a very friendly atmosphere that reigns in the streets: the local shops, along the main shopping avenue, are warm; many products from the region are on sale such as traditional soaps, souvenirs, decorations... The village itself is very welcoming and relaxing. It is also in one of these shops that I was able to buy several postcards in drawings that I hasten to collect on each trip.

> Venture into small alleys off the beaten track

To discover the village of Bormes-les-Mimosas in all its splendor, it is better to get away from the main tourist streets and explore the rest of the village on foot. Around the corner, you'll find new finds. There is not a street that is alike in Bormes, which makes it very authentic. This is really a piece of advice that I give you, especially if you want to take pictures that are different from all the ones you can see on social networks or the internet. Your instinct and your desire to discover will easily guide you in Bormes and you will come across superb places.

The old village of Bormes-les-Mimosas is also very interesting to see. Listed among the most beautiful sites in the Var, the medieval village of Bormes les les Mimosas is a must-see for history buffs! Period architecture, sculpted porches, facades in the colors of the South, vaults, cuberts ...

> The Castle of the Lords of Fos

The Castle of the Lords of Fos is proof of the reign of the Counts of Provences. It was built in 1257 on the initiative of Roger de Fos, the first Lord of the lineage. During the wars of religion, the Castle was besieged by the inhabitants, from where it was ceded to the religious Minimes. And this earned it to be their Couvent in 1654. Just as the building was also a national property following an auction in 1767. In addition to these, it served as a soldier's barracks in 1791 However, even half in ruins, the castle has undergone various redemptions and restorations. Finally, from January 1931, it was classified as a historical monument.

The Castle of the Lords of Fos is one of the oldest castles in Lower Provence. Located at an altitude of around 104m, it overlooks the entire village. Admittedly, its current state looks a lot more like a vestige or a ruin, but one can still imagine how it was in time. In addition, despite the fact that only a part can be visited, one can observe a Round Tower dating from the 13th century and a square keep from the 12th century. Apart from these, the ramparts are rather well preserved. In addition, it was built in such a way as to offer incredible views of the Levant Islands, Port-Cros, Cap Bénat or even Lavandou bay. You have to climb a little to access the castle, enough to burn a few calories, but the view of the esplanade is superb!

> Stand at viewpoints to observe the city and the sea

The Square of Isclou of Love is a 100% Provençal square with its small fountain in the center which refreshes the air. In addition, from this square, you will have a breathtaking view of the roofs of the houses of Bormes, the sea in the distance with the islands of Levant and Port-Cros. It is a very flowery place in summer with beautiful purple-pink bougainvillea. You can also sit on benches in the shade to contemplate the beautiful view that awaits you.

At the entrance to the village of Bormes-les-Mimosas, there is a large stone esplanade from Bormes. There, you will have a clear view of the houses of Bormes and the valley. It is a famous spot because it allows you to see the whole village well.

> Beautiful houses with flowers and plants

Bormes-les-Mimosas is a paradise for flower lovers. Favored by a very mild climate and strong sunshine, plants and flowers have found their happiness. The village alone has more than 700 species with a mixture of climbing plants, flowering shrubs, plants. It is extremely fascinating to see!

The intense flowering of Bormes-les-Mimosas has won numerous awards: the 4 flower label proudly displayed by the village for 49 years; National Grand Prize for Flowering; Gold medal at the European competition for towns and villages in bloom; Golden flower. All these awards bear witness to the investment of several generations of Bormeans and gardeners.

> The ridge route

To go even further in the discovery of the Bormes-les-Mimosas region and if you want a beautiful view of the Port of Lavandou and Favière, the ridge route is what you need. As its name suggests, this road crosses the high ridges of Lavandou for several kilometers. It is a fairly narrow road but passable by car, bicycle ... Better not to be afraid of the small winding roads which twist in all directions and which run along the edges. It is rarely used and you quickly feel overwhelmed by the beauty of the landscapes.

It is possible to stop on the side of the road very often to observe the landscape. At the top of the ridges, at an altitude of almost 400 meters, you can see in the distance the islands of the Levant, the Port of Lavandou and Favière, the tip of Cap Bénat. The vegetation also changes and gives way to dry spaces with some rocks and olive trees.

A good address to know on the route des crêtes is the Relay of the Old Savior which offers a restaurant service based on local and fresh products. A delicious meal facing the sea.

> My little tips and advice for visiting Bormes

Spring and summer are without hesitation the best times of the year to discover Bormes-les-Mimosas because autumn and winter are rather slack seasons and the weather is not there. Moreover, if you decide to come in the summer, I advise you to go for a walk early in the morning to avoid the hot weather. There are a few areas shaded by trees but most of the streets in Bormes are in the sun. Remember to dress lightly and comfortably. The best way to discover Bormes is to do it over a day to take the time to quietly visit all the corners of the village. You can even plan to have lunch in one of the many restaurants in the center of the village (many have a terrace that overlooks the street). Moreover, free car parks are accessible by car for 1.5 hours of free parking.

That's it, it's already the end! I hope this article made you want to come to Bormes-les-Mimosas one day and that you learned some interesting things. This Provencal village is definitely worth a visit and there are plenty of other things to do in the region such as the wine route or the Fort of Brégançon. Don't hesitate to leave a comment just below to give me your opinion, to like this article (the little red heart) and to share it on social networks. To be kept informed of the release of future articles, you can also subscribe to the newsletter on the home page.

See you soon for new articles !

Laura🤍