Nice Carnival

The Nice Carnival is a spectacular annual event held each February, and occasionally in early March, in the enchanting city of Nice on the French Riviera. It’s one of the world's most renowned carnival celebrations, standing shoulder to shoulder with the illustrious Brazilian Carnival, Venetian Carnival, and New Orleans' Mardi Gras. The history of the Nice Carnival dates back to 1294, potentially making it the oldest carnival celebration in existence.

In 1873, a group led by local artist Alexis Mossa, followed by his son Gustav-Adolf Mossa, elevated the carnival to new heights. They introduced parades featuring masquerades, satirical floats, and various competitions, transforming it into the vibrant and colorful event we know today. Now, this two-week celebration attracts over a million visitors to Nice each year.

Each year, the carnival adopts a unique theme, inspiring artists to create 18 elaborate floats and numerous papier-mâché figures for the grand parade. The festivities include both day and night parades, with one of the highlights being the "flower battles" on the Promenade des Anglais, where participants toss flowers into the crowd. In 2017, due to preparations for the carnival, the memorial for the 2016 Nice truck attack was temporarily removed, and the parade route was shifted from the Promenade des Anglais to the Promenade du Paillon.