Bormes-les-Mimosas: A Provençal Village Steeped in History and Charm

A Captivating Historical Overview

The history of Bormes-les-Mimosas dates back to Antiquity, as evidenced by the remains found on its territory. His name evokes both its geographic position (" Bormes "may derive from a word ligure meaning" heights fortified "), and its rich floral, including the abundance of mimosa trees that color the landscape in the winter.

• Medieval Roots : The historic heart of Bormes, the " old village ", which has preserved its medieval layout with narrow alleyways, its stone houses with tiled roofs roses and shaded squares. In the Middle Ages, the village was protected by walls and dominated by the castle of the Lords of Fos, whose remains are now able to offer an exceptional panorama.
• A Strategic Place : Thanks to its dominant position, Bormes has played a strategic role in the course of centuries, including as a point of surveillance of the coast.
• The Fort de Brégançon : Located on a small island connected to the coast by a causeway, the Fort de Brégançon is an emblematic place in the history of France. Mentioned as early as the Eleventh century, it was a royal fortress and a residence of the State and, finally, the summer residence of the official presidents of the French Republic from 1968 to 2013. Its history is intimately linked to that of contemporary France. (Note : The visit to the fort is the subject of the opening period-specific).
• The Modern Period and the Development : Over the centuries, Bormes has evolved, retaining its charm while opening up to tourism. The arrival of the railway in the early Twentieth century has facilitated access to this picturesque region.
• "The City of a Hundred Flowers" : In the Twentieth century, Bormes has earned its reputation as the "city of a hundred flowers" thanks to the intensive cultivation of mimosas, which were introduced in the Nineteenth century that thrive in the mild climate of the region. Each winter, the blossoming mimosas transforms the landscape into an explosion of yellow and scent the air with their delicate fragrance. The famous Flower Parade, held in February, celebrates this rich floral.