If you’re looking for a vindication to go there, February is Carnival time.
The Nice Carnival is one of the biggest events planned on the French Riviera, enticing over 1 million visitors. It is one of the most celebrated carnivals in the world alongside the Rio de Janeiro and Venice Carnivals. The vibrant event takes place during a two-week period in February. This time of the year offers a great chance to discover Nice and the French Riviera which enjoy a mild weather linked to the rest of France.
The Carnival is organized around two distinct events:
– The Carnival Procession
On Place Masséna, the emblematic and travesty floats parade by, escorted by displays, street arts and international musical groups. These carnival processions are like cruises of discovery. A world tour in 90 minutes!
It is tradition for the king to preside over the carnival on the Place Masséna during the whole time of the festivities. On the final night of the carnival, the figurine of the king is put out to sea on a little boat and burned before the traditional fireworks of the Bay of Angels. The parade works its way up to a crescendo of huge celebrations with three leading floats: the King’s, the Queen’s and Carnivalon’s, their son.
Each of the floats are precisely designed by the ‘Ymagiers’ the ‘Carnivaliers’ are the artist-craftsmen which then create the float with the act elements. Then creative coordinators oversee the passage to 3D. The 18 floats measure 12 m long by 3 m wide and from 8 to 17 m high.
– The Flower Battle
The Flower Parade takes place beside the sea on the famed Promenade des Anglais. The flower-decked floats of the procession are ride by profligately dressed performers who throw out mimosas, gerberas, and lilies to the public. The 16 floats of the parade are 7 m long by 2 m wide and 6 m high. Each float includes about 3,000 stems of which 70% is produced in the Nice region. Flower pricking takes 72 hours.
Every year the Carnival Queen is chosen to represent the spirit of the Flower Parade.
The next version has already started from 16th February to 2nd March, 2019 on the theme ‘King of Cinema.’ So hurry up folks get your visas stamped!
The word “carnival” derives from the Latin ‘carnelevare’ meaning ‘to take out the meat.’ The medieval Church banished meat from the table during the whole period of Lent, as it did with sugar, ingredients containing fat, eggs and dairy products. Before the start of the fasting period of Lent (on Ash Wednesday), people had fun running Carnivals as it was their last chance until Easter to eat meat. The celebration was also a way to chase off the gloom of winter in the hope of spring.
The celebration was also a way to chase off the gloom of winter in the hope of Spring.
