Limoux Carnival in the South of France
The Limoux Carnival in Languedoc-Roussillon is the oldest carnival in the world. It takes place from mid-January until just before Easter, although it is only on the weekends until the last week, when it becomes a daily party.
Limoux is different from other carnivals in that it is more of a local folklore celebration than a universal parade. Bands that play traditional music on trumpets, clarinets, basses, double basses and basses are led by the carnival bands (bands of revelers) through the arcades of this beautiful old city. Traditional costumes are spectacular and include the Pierrot, the goudil that can range from the ordinary to the noblest, albeit always with a touch of irony, and the classic black dominoes, decorated with brightly colored satin bands.
Party bands are the ‘guilds’ that play music and sing songs, but it’s not as carefree as it sounds. The reason is satire, making fun of society and its rules, all done in the old Occitan language. The most impressive of these processions is the torchlight at night, where you really feel like the ghosts of the past are gathering.
There are exhibitions and events throughout the carnival, but the main processions take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am, at 4.30 pm and at 10 pm.
While the bands leading the procession are local, you can join in (as long as you dress well and the darker or weird the better). Become a fan of the gangs on the streets, stop at the cafes for a glass of wine before the last stop in the main square, the place de la Republique.
The carnival ends with La Nuit de la Blanquette , the night his Majesty the Carnival King burns himself at the stake in the main square, the place de la Republique. A straw effigy, he is the scapegoat who is to blame for the “sins” that people have committed during the festival.
The Limoux Carnival 2019 will take place from January 27, 2019 to April 7, 2019.
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Dunkirk carnival in northern France
Little Dunkirk (Dunkerque) celebrates the largest and most popular carnival in northern France, from late January to mid-March, on weekends and certain days of the week. And it prides itself on being the loudest event of its kind. It started in the 18th century as a special feast before visscherbende (groups of fishermen) set sail for the icy and dangerous Icelandic waters to catch the lucrative cod.
Dunkirk Carnival is certainly local and has games and songs that can leave you totally confused. The action revolves around the bands of fishermen clashing with songs as they parade through the streets. A costumed drummer leads musicians dressed in yellow fisherman’s raincoats as the crowd sings traditional songs and shouts their approval. It has all the elements for a successful festival: Giants (that don’t burn), music, satire, and a general sense of insanity.
The parades last around 5 hours from 3 to 8 pm, ending at City Hall where the crowds demand “what they deserve”, which is 450 kilos (992 pounds) of herring traditionally thrown from the bell tower. The parade then heads to Jean Bart Place to sing more, in addition to celebrating the sailors and honoring Jean Bart, a French naval commander and Dunkirk pioneer who had considerable success against the English (the natural enemy).
The 2019 Dunkirk Carnival will take place between February 2, 2019 and March 23, 2019.
Strasbourg Carnival in Alsace
The streets of Strasbourg are lit up with more than 40 floats and around 3,000 prosecutions from the Quai du Quai du Général Koenig, to Place Kléber two hours later. There is a rehearsal on Saturday and then the royal parade on Sunday. It’s fun and loud and has live music on the venue’s stage. Then it’s up to you to throw your own after-Carnival party in the bars and cafes that remain open in the city.
The 2019 Strasbourg Carnival Parade will take place on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 2:11 pm
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Mulhouse Carnival in Alsace
Taking place in late February or early March, Mulhouse erupts over a weekend at a traditional festival that was considered one of the largest in France between 1920 and 1935. World War II intervened and it wasn’t until 1953 that A local group of guilds decided to revive the carnival.
Southern Alsace knows how to enjoy and Carnival attracts groups from all over Europe. Being on the borders of Switzerland and Germany, it has an international flavor to the parades that pass through the town hall.
Like all other carnivals, it is the satire that is celebrated here. It also has a nightly parade with bars and restaurants that stay open until the final revelers return home tired.
The Mulhouse Carnival 2019 will take place from March 7, 2019 to March 10, 2019.
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beautiful carnival
Nice Carnival is one of the oldest in the world, the oldest reference dating back to 1294. Today is a glorious party that takes place every day except Monday and Thursday. The city of Nice erupts day and night with parades of floats culminating in Mardi Gras on the last day. Historically, the Nice Carnival was the last chance to enjoy rich food and drink before the 40-day Lenten fast, and the opportunity to disguise your identity behind fantastic masks and enjoy the pleasures forbidden by the Catholic Church for the rest. of the year.
Nice Carnival begins with the arrival of the carnival king in his Corso Carnavalesque (Carnival Procession) on Place Massena. Around 20 floats take on the theme of the year with giant puppets (called grosses tetes or big heads), and 1,000 musicians, street performers and dancers from around the world. The king takes the keys to the city and declares his brief reign of extravagance and excess.
There are shows during Carnival, as well as the world famous Bataille de Fleurs (Battle of Flowers) that takes place on various dates throughout Carnival. The streets are lined with stalls selling gifts and food and crowds of visitors to have a good time. It feels like spring is beginning.
On the last night, King Carnival is burned. Then there is a gigantic fireworks show with music over the Baie des Anges, the tall fireworks reflected in the waters of the Mediterranean.
2019 Nice Carnival takes place from February 16, 2019 to February 28, 2019.
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Menton Lemon Festival
The Menton Lemon Festival is held on Sundays from mid-February to the end of the first week of March. It is like a carnival but known as a festival when the citrus fruits that give Menton its wealth and reputation are celebrated.
All kinds of different events are offered. There is Sunday Corsos des fruits d’or (Procession of golden fruit floats) when decorated floats move along the Promenade du Soleil skirting the sea accompanied by musicians, folk groups and majorettes.
On select days there are nightly processions of orchestras, folk groups, and dancers encouraging wild behavior as they make their way through the streets, followed by fireworks over the bay. The Biovès host gardens of the Jardins de Lumières (Gardens of Light) which are filled with light and sound effects. There are several exhibitions in the Palais de l’Europe, next to the Gardens: the Festival des Orchidées (Orchid Festival) and a very popular Salon de l’Artisanat (Arts and Crafts Fair) of traditional products from the region inspired in lemons: jams, jellies, honey and liqueurs; soaps and perfumes and etchings on glass, ceramics and more.
There are several guided tours (for example, a jam factory and a lemon tree), and the opportunity to visit the gardens of the Palais Carnolès, which has the largest collection of citrus fruits in Europe: from grapefruit to kumquats, mandarin and clementine. trees
And finally, you can buy the citrus fruits used at the festival to make large amounts of jam, syrup, and more.
Some of the events are free, but you must buy tickets to see the parades.
The Menton Lemon Festival 2019 takes place between February 16, 2019 and March 3, 2019.
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