Dive into the heart of the Nice carnival with its colours, festivities and icons.

Officially launched in 1873 and organised by the Comité des Fêtes, the Nice Carnival is thought to have originated much earlier, almost a thousand years ago! The Count of Provence, Charles d'Anjou, is said to have visited the town for "the joyous days of Carnival" in 1294. So it's definitely an event not to be missed, and always has been!

After Christmas and New Year's Day, the beginning of the year is synonymous with Carnival in many countries and cities. In France, Nice is the one that draws the biggest crowds, thanks in particular to the floats that make it so famous. Every Tuesday and Saturday during the festive period, as night falls, spectators can attend the carnival parade to admire the glittering floats.

King of the Media, King of the Animals, King of Gastronomy and King of Space are just some of the themes of previous editions, orchestrated by the ymagiers. His Majesty, the King of Carnival, changes his title every year to kick off the festivities. Then, together with the Queen, he is enthroned on the Place Masséna until the final evening. This is an opportunity for visitors to meet this rather unusual royal couple...

While the whole city comes alive, the King and Queen arriveat Masséna, having taken the keys to the city, and open the various parades. It's only on the last night that his majesty parades one last time before being burnt at the stake, bringing the carnival to an end. But according to legend, the king is resurrected and reigns again the following year...

The best way to make the most of the event is to sleep as close as possible to the venue, and to travel exclusively on foot. Make sure you book well in advance, as accommodation is very busy during this period!

The highlight of the Nice carnival is without doubt the corso carnavalesque! Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, the grandstands are packed to the rafters with floats. Around twenty floats and dozens of international troupes make up the illuminated procession. For early risers, a daytime version of the parade is also part of the programme. Bands, street performers and dancers set the crowds alight for a few timeless hours that we wouldn't miss for the world!

It's not just the floats and carnival-goers who are decked out in a multitude of colours and patterns. Spectators are invited to play the fancy dress game, and the people of Nice are masters of the art! Some are no exception to the rule, and have been coming every year since they were little, wearing accessories in the colours of the year's theme.

Among the traditions that go hand in hand with Carnival, there's one delicacy you just can't miss. Ganses de Nice, one of the city's many culinary specialities, are a real treat for the sweet tooth. These crunchy little doughnuts are best eaten sprinkled with icing sugar (and at any time of day). Most of the city's bakeries offer this mixture of flour, eggs, butter, sugar and yeast for the occasion.

Nice is an elegant and colourful city, and the carnival's Battle of the Flowers is no exception. The organisers use local florists' produce to decorate the floats with thousands of stems. It's a work of speed, precision and creativity, carried out by enthusiasts to offer participants a moment of enchantment, in a floral paradise!

The setting is unique in the world, with costumes whose elegance and beauty inspire other carnivals around the world. Participants usually go home with so many flowers, handed out by models from the floats, that they can make a real bouquet! Thousands of roses, mimosas, liliums and carnations are placed on the floats just hours before the carnival kicks off.

Carnival corsi and flower battles are the highlights of the two weeks of festivities, but there are plenty of other activities on offer too. Costume contests, confetti battles, musical entertainment, creative workshops, screenings and lectures are all on offer for young and old alike.

Thewarm, festive atmosphere is sure to tempt you to try one of the city's many Provençal-style restaurants. La Merenda, very close to the venue, is a sure-fire way to immerse yourself in the culture of Nice. Pistou pasta, pissaladière, beef daube and courgette flower fritters will delight visitors to the Côte d'Azur.

📍 Address: 4 Rue Raoul Bosio, 06300 Nice

⏰ O pening times: 12pm - 1.45pm / 7pm - 9pm Monday to Friday

The restaurants on the Promenade des Anglais and in Vieux Nice are all the rage during Carnival, so remember to book!

🚌 Getting to Nice carnival

During Nice carnival, many streets are closed to traffic, so the ideal option is to favour public transport. Line 1 of the tramway serves the area perfectly, although Masséna station is closed.

By car, not all the city's car parks are open at this time of year, so make sure you plan ahead. More information on the city's website.

👉 Dress up and get in for free

Depending on the edition and places available, participants who are fully dressed up are offered a place at the first carnival parade. So get out your best costumes, on the theme of the year of course! More information on the official carnival website.

👉 Take advantage of the French Riviera Pass

Carnival activities are very varied, but it's also an opportunity for tourists passing through the French Riviera to visit other iconic attractions in the area. The French Riviera Pass gives reduced-rate access to many museums and visits, as well as to public transport. More information on the French Riviera Pass website.