Bormes-les-Mimosas. Where even the garbage dumpsters are beautiful!
(Seriously, I wish I took a picture.)
Bormes-les-Mimosa was an unplanned stop for us. We were presented with the opportunity to visit a friend’s family and knew we couldn’t pass it up. This enchanting little village was the perfect way to end out time in France. The old part of town contains medieval buildings decorated with bright and abundant bougainvillea flowers.
On the day we arrived, actually immediately after we finished unpacking, we were greeted with a downpour of hail, giving the appearance of snow. What an unusual sight in this mediterranean climate.
Our week seemed to fly by. Below I will outline some of our favorite things in Bormes-les-Mimosas.
La Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Constance
Our first activity was walking to a chapel on the top of a hill. The official walk from the old part of town is approximately 4k, but we started a little further away and added some extra detours to nearly double the distance. The chapel was built in the XIII century and offers panoramic views of the village, mediterranean and surrounding areas.
Le Sentier du Littoral
On our second day in Bormes-les-Mimosas we walked along the seaside path in Le Lavandou. The weather was slightly overcast which prevented the path or beaches from being overcrowded. It appears that this pathway continues for much of the coastline, nearly 200km, in one form or another. Later that evening we returned to the beach to sip champagne with our hosts a a seaside restaurant on the beach were our friend spend much of her childhood.
Wineries
Nearby Bormes-les-Mimosas you will find several wineries dotting the landscape. We enjoyed driving through this area and biking the quiet roads. One of the largest wineries (below) was particularly stunning. Our knowledge host told us that the owner is also the owner of Caterpillar. He also informed us that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie also own a winery a little further north. Unfortunately, no celebrity sightings on this trip.
Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez is only 45-minutes away allowing for an easy day trip. We walked around town and visited the fort. On the way back, we took a longer, but scenic seaside route.
Gorges du Verdon
On one of our last days we ventured a little further to the Gorges du Verdon. The gorges were about two and a half hours north of Bormes-les-Mimosa and well worth the drive. Wow! The gorge and lake were absolutely beautiful.
We had a picnic lunch at the lake and walked around, then drove around the gorge to enjoy the views from every angle. The pictures really don’t even begin to capture the landscape.
The Locals
The best part of the trip was meeting our amazing hosts. Our friend’s parents were just as kind and wonderful as she is.
Their garden was beautiful, complete with a pool, pond and well. The lemons were the largest I have ever seen (the size of grapefruits!) and you can eat the cumquats right off the vine.
And we weren’t the only ones who enjoyed the yard. Züri was thrilled to have a place to run around. He alternated between playing with oranges and tennis balls.
Here is a link to their property. Definitely consider staying here if you visit this area! You will not regret it.
Spending time somewhere so dear to a friend is truly memorable. We will never forget this very special visit!
