Blessed by the gods with an enchanting environment, Nice combines the elegance of the seaside resorts of the Belle Époque, the charm of southern cities and the dynamism of large urban centers. From the historic hill of Cimiez to the Mont-Boron and its historical vestiges, the old town and the city center or the unavoidable Promenade des Anglais, the city of Nice is alive and kicking in all seasons. If its beaches are very popular as soon as the weather is fine, the second half of February the city goes wild during its emblematic carnival (from February 10 to 26, 2023 this year). A golden opportunity to discover the beautiful Côte d'Azur!
A carnival that is not new... Happy 150 years!
Do you doubt the good-natured spirit of the Nice Carnival? Banish your fears: in terms of carnival burlesque, the old lady would surprise more than one! Under its good-natured airs, the county hides marked inclinations for buffoonery and pranks, thus reserving for us, over the years, parades more and more delirious. And not to spoil the party, the region enjoys a pleasantly mild climate from February onwards, allowing it to don its favorite disguise: an ornament of mimosas. The Nice carnival is certainly the most amusing excuse to visit the region.
Linked to the Christian ritual of Lent, the history of the carnival here has had many setbacks. As early as the 16thcentury, the clergy tried to curb the festivities by forming a battalion of "abbés des fous" to channel the crowd's jubilation and control its excesses. It was a lost cause! The popular madness submerged the religious faith, to make crazy these abbots of circumstance! The Revolution, two world wars, the Gulf War and the Covid-19 pandemic suspended the festivities... But they did not get the better of the tradition which resists in spite of everything. And the next weekend of February, the carnival of Nice will again make its heart beat and fill the world. The 2023 edition will put the Rio Carnival in the spotlight and propose a theme "Treasures of the World" with beautiful Indian and Egyptian atmospheres in particular.
The people of Nice and tourists are invited to come and greet the king of pasteboard from Friday, February 10. And this edition, the festivities promise to be exceptional because, in addition to celebrating its famous Brazilian counterpart, the Nice Carnival will celebrate its 150th anniversary! One more reason to party..
Between the carnival parade and the battle of flowers, a "merry mess"!
Two major events punctuate the carnival week in alternation: the float parades called "corso carnavalesque" and the famous "Battle of the Flowers". His Majesty the King opens the festivities on Friday evening in the company of schoolchildren. As soon as he points his cardboard malice, with many other actors of the Carnival, but also dancers or musicians. All the madness is then allowed until the cremation of the King at the end of Carnival.
At the time of each scheduled parade (February 11, 14, 18, 21 and 25, 2023), the floats of the corso parade behind the king in a "merry brothel" with acrobats and musicians from around the world. The satire, illustrated by the parade of the big heads, is in Nice a whole art. For this 150th edition, the 16 floats will be decorated under the theme "Treasures of the World". In order to "honor the inscription of Nice on the Unesco World Heritage list, the theme will be the treasures of the world heritage", announced the mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi last February. ... A whole program!
Then, as every year, the Carnival will make a nice place for its famous "Battle of Flowers", a typical Nice ritual. Some see it as the trademark of the Côte d'Azur, a "sublimated version of carnival disorder"... In the past, it was reserved for rich winter residents who could participate in the festival with grace and distinction. It is not strictly speaking a battle, it is a parade of about twenty floats dressed with fresh flowers. Young women throw mimosas, carnations and roses to the crowd like a shower of petals, always more distinguished than rice or confetti. The carnival ends with the cremation of the king (on Sunday, February 26 this year), celebrated with a big fireworks display.
Two weeks of festivities will animate the city. In addition to the parades, there will be many concerts, shows and musical events in the city's parks and gardens. So, get your diaries ready... And head for the Côte d'Azur!
Smart info
When is it open? All year round. Summer, for the beach and the party, spring and fall for the mild climate and winter for the sparkling landscapes of mimosas and the carnival. For the 2023 edition of this not-to-be-missed event, come to the Côte d'Azur city between February 10 and February 26.
How to get there. By plane (1.5 hours), train (5.45 hours) or car (879 km), everything is possible to reach Nice.
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