The Cote de’Azur is alive and buzzing all year-round, even in February, when much of France and other European countries seem to be reduced to a late-winter lull just waiting to be woken up the spring.

The town of Mandelieu-la-Napoule, just to the southwest of France is particularly ‘alive’ in February, when it hosts the annual Fete Du Mimosa, a festival which brightens the soul and refreshes the spirit.

Birds soaring through the cloudless blue sky above the Cote d’Azur, their feathers ruffled slightly by the brisk late-winter air, you see them sweep down towards the dazzling yellow tree protruding from the cliffy rock faces, contrasting avoidably with the azure water of the Mediterranean and the equally azure sky, the air is sweet with the fragrance from the mimosa tree, and you know that winter is officially over.

This is the essence behind the celebrations that take place on the Cote d’Azur to celebrate the blossoming of the mimosas.

Between the town of Mandelieu-la-Napoule and the village of Tanneron, Europe’s largest forest of mimosa can be found and it therefore seems provident that in the town of Mandelieu-la-Napoule, locals have celebrated the emblematic mimosa flower for decades, with a horde of spectacularly colourful displays, parades , markets and arts and crafts.

This colourful and deliciously fragranced festival takes place in mid-February each year but the Cote d’Azur’s celebration of the mimosa stretch much further than a mere few days in February.

Every year the region organises a constellation of events that span from mid-January until mid-March. During this time, eight villages on the Cote d’Azur participate in the ‘La Route des Mimosas’, a “trail” that consists of various activities, guided walks, celebrations and tours, all dedicated and centred around the blossoming mimosa.

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She has been dubbed as being a ‘master of photography,’ creating dreamy fashion photographs that are ‘almost like a painter’s’. She is known as a ‘legend in her own lifetime’ and one who unites all the clichés of modern photography. Who are we talking about?

The French photographer Sarah Moon of course, who, according to The Independent, has “the power to bewitch”.

For such a ‘bewitching’ photographer, who, for more than 35 years, has created some of the most ‘heart-stoppingly beautiful fashion imagery’, there could not be quite as a bewitching location than the Cote d’Azur to complement her alluring fashion photography and do her images the justice they deserve.

Until 12 February 2012, those fortunate to be on the Cote d’Azur will have the chance to see the international photography legend’s work at an exhibition in Nice, titled ‘1 2 3 4 5’.

130 pieces of her artwork, ranging from 1986 – 2000 will be on display at the exhibition, which, according to Sarah Moon, is aimed at inviting the public into her ‘personal universe’, in a ‘dream world from reality, where the evanescence of beauty, time and uncertainty are recurrent themes.’

The award-winning photographer, who started her career as a model, as had her work published in the top fashion magazines, including Vogue, Chanel, Comme des Garcons, Harper’s Bazaar, Nova and Cacharel.

Her photographs, the artist admits, have been inspired by many facets of life, including her friends, family, the landscape, personal feelings, nature, and, of course, fashion.

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If you have ever visited Saint Tropez the chances are you are almost bursting to return. Its Roman history, medieval ports and France’s finest eateries, all set against a backdrop of stunning verdurous hillsides; make Saint Tropez an addictive place to visit.

Although as a trip to Saint Tropez can put a serious dent in your bank balance, a return visit may not be as impending as you would like. Although fear not, fellow Saint Tropez lovers, as to help you cope with those cravings to be back in this mesmerising French Riviera town, download the ‘Saint Tropez’ app onto your smartphone.

The ‘Saint Tropez’ app is available for iPhone or iPod and includes seven films, numerable high-definition photos, film extracts, reports and archives about Saint Tropez, as well as maps enabling you to zoom right up to your favourite landmark, boutique or club in the world-famous town.

There are also puzzles and quizzes related to the area, its history and modern pleasures, meaning your knowledge on the area remains fresh in your mind until your next visit.

This fun and interactive app is suitable for all ages and the three to four minute films bring you insight on the best places to visit in Saint Tropez such as La Ponche, the Gendarmerie, the Jean-Reveille jetty, Place de l’Ormeau and the Annonciade Museum.

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The Cote d’Azur is almost as synonymous with producing some of France’s most exquisite wines as it is with being an inspirational place for artists and a paradise for high-end glamour.

600 years before Jesus Christ, wine was being grown in this area of France. Given its history that began ‘Before Christ’ and its global notoriety at producing ‘only the best’, the Cote d’Azur is literally brimming with vineyards.

We take a look at three of the most impressive vineyards in existence on the French Riviera.

Domaine Tropez

The Domaine Tropez estate was created in 1996 by local winemaker Gregoire Chaix’s grandfather, a man passionate about vineyards and wine. Covering some 36 hectares, the Domaine Tropez comprises of different parcels scattered around Provence.

The vineyard includes many different varieties of wine, with perhaps the most important one being Grenache, which produces one of the finest and elegant wines the region has become renowned for.

For more information on this truly great French vineyard visit its website domainetropez.com.

Chateau Minuty

This grandly impressive chateaux and vineyard is one of the 23 properties in the area of Provence to be distinguished as being a “Cru Classe Cotes de Provence”, which, even if you don’t speak any French, you can guess the title is highly esteemed and sought-after!

Situated between the hillside villages of Ramatuelle and Gassin, Chateau Minuty, which was built in 1955, overlooks the Gulf of saint Tropez and is positioned perfectly to make only the best vin in France. The harvesting of the wine at Chateaux Minuty is all done by hand and the wine is so lovingly nurtured here that it is hardly surprising that the liquid produced at Chateaux Minuty has the reputation of sitting on only the finest of tables on the French Riviera.

Visit chateauxminuty.com for more details on this outstanding French Riviera vineyard.

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Situated seven kilometres to the west of Saint Tropez lies the seaside town of Port Grimaud. Whilst the town of Saint Tropez was becoming internationally renowned as being a ‘playground for the rich and famous’, Port Grimaud had not even been built.

It was in the 1960s when architect Francois Spoerry created Port Grimaud based around the marshes of the River Giscle on the bay of Saint Tropez and an eclectic mix of Venetian-style channels and French ‘Fisherman’s’ houses.

This virtually car-free town quickly became known as being a ‘private lagoon pleasure city’, with a waterway for yachts parked at the bottom of every garden. So exquisite did Port Grimaud soon become that it was only the likes of Joan Collins who owned a house here.

Port Grimaud has maintained its desirability to the well-heeled members of society and has kept its popularity with the world’s yachting elite. In light of its lack of cars and commitment to being a ‘private lagoon pleasure city’, chartered psychologist Graham W Price set up ‘Training and Sailing’ holidays in Port Grimaud.

During the one-week holiday, guests will have the pleasure of sailing on a 50 foot Beneteau Oceanis yacht with a qualified skipper. They will sail to the wonderfully exclusive nearby town of Saint Tropez and they will be will inspired by staying in a comfortable ‘fisherman’s Cottage’ overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean Ocean sparkling in the sun.

Graham Price’s holidays ‘Training and Sailing’ holidays in Port Grimaud are designed to enable guests to eliminate stress, regret, worry, frustration, procrastination and a host of other limiting thoughts and feelings.

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