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The carnival

 
 

Our expert Saint-Martin

The carnival

The carnival Carnival Saint Martin carnival ends with the death of King Vaval, a wooden statue that is symbolically burned to bring the festivities to an end in a blaze of glory. Vladimira Dvorakova / age fotostock;

On the French part of the island, carnivalesque festivities begin on Twelfth Night Sunday and end on Ash Wednesday. During that period of time, you will often see children in fancy dress, "begging" for sweets from car drivers. At night, concerts gathering local artists are organised. On the last day, female and male devils parade the streets to the music of the bongos. At the end of the day, Vaval, the King of the Carnival (locally known as Bois-Bois), is burnt before being thrown out to sea under the crowds' exclamations. In April, the Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin also has its own Carnival.

Traditions

Other reasons to go

  1.   Landscapes

  2.   Coasts

  3.   Towns

  4.   The fauna and flora