Hyères, capital of cut flowers

Hyères has more than one marvel to share! During a nature or relaxation getaway in this corner of greenery, you’ll be led to seek out all the identities of the town, not just as a seaside resort, but as the capital of cut flowers.

Since 1980, Hyères has built up a reputation as one of the South East’s leading horticultural centers, thanks to the SICA flower market. This is the largest flower market in France and the 4th largest in Europe. Nearly 400 growers work with SICA MAF to sell their produce, and some 300 buyers, florists, wholesalers and shippers supply the market every five days a week, distributing the 100 million or so stems purchased each year throughout the region.

Hyères growers have set up greenhouses and are helping to diversify their cut flower range, with roses, carnations, gerberas, irises, gladioli, anemones, tulips, strelizias and chrysanthemums…

Herois horticulturists

It has to be said that Hyères horticulturists are renowned for producing some of the most beautiful roses in the world. This production extends throughout France and Europe.
Many nurseries specialize in growing green plants, mimosas, oleanders, eucalyptus and even olive trees. This will further strengthen Hyères’ floral identity.

The Cité des Palmiers has not been content to rest on its laurels alone, but has taken a more ambitious approach. Laboratories carry out research into “in-vitro” plant propagation, solar energy used in greenhouses and plant genetics.
The Var department itself accounts for around 50% of regional production and over 25% of national production. Almost daily, flowers are shipped to Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland and the United States.

It’s also said that peonies are a coveted item at the Hyères flower market. World-renowned, they fetch a high price. The lushly-petaled peony is grown in the fields of southern France between April and May. Its petals are pastel-pink to carmine-red, which makes it so distinctive from other roses.
The commune of Hyères has been awarded a label and keeps its fourth flower. Very important for maintaining the town’s attractiveness, this label is accompanied by a number of renovations, notably to certain signs located in the old quarter, Stalingrad Square and in front of the town hall. We are also planning a flower display that is perfectly suited to climatic conditions, with a large-scale installation on the Giens peninsula and the creation of a Maison de l’Environnement.

To keep this label, the municipality is already thinking about the right arguments to present to the jury in 3 years’ time. For example, it wants to create an attractive color scheme for street furniture, solve the problem of containers and ensure that facades are always well-maintained in order to improve the urban renewal habitat.