Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a custom in many Catholic and Christian countries that marks the day before Ash Wednesday, the 40-day period before Easter. On Mardi Gras, the tradition is to eat rich, fatty foods before starting the ritual fasting of the Lenten season. Many cultures start Mardi Gras festivities way before the day itself; the Carnival season can start as early as Epiphany (January 6).
Carnaval (derived from carne levare – away with meat) is this time of celebration. Historically, during Carnival season there were balls, parties in the streets, and excesses were tolerated. Revelers wore masks to protect their identities while they participated wild activities in the days before Ash Wednesday.
In Nice, the season of Carnaval dates back to 1294, when the Count of Provence, Charles Anjou, spent the “joyous days of carnival” in the area, but it was in 1830 that the current form of the Nice Carnaval was born, when a parade consisting of about 30 carriages was organized in honor of King Charles-Felix and Queen Marie-Christine of Piedmont-Sardinia.
This year, the Carnaval in Nice started on February 14, and will end on March 4. During that time there are parades and parties. The
One of many floats in the Carnival
two main parades are the Flower parade and the Carnaval Parade of Lights. Running down the Promenade des Anglais, the Flower Parade or “flower battle” showcases floats decorated with stunning floral compositions. Beautifully dressed characters on the floats throw mimosas, gerberas, lilies and other flowers down to the spectators. This year’s theme is Roi de Gastronomie, and the floats have titles such as Gastronomic Oppression (chefs race to keep Gargantua well fed), Crooks in Booze (a typical Frenchman clings to a bottle of champagne while others drink their favorite beverage) and the Nose (the dictatorship of the wine taster, who can destroy careers in a gulp)
Between the parades, there is plenty to do. There is a Rock’n’Roll 10 mile run, and a Carnaval dip, where everyone is invited down to the beach to plunge into the Mediterranean. Of course, since the theme is gastronomy, there are plenty of restaurants offering prix fixe meals that reflect the theme; if you have eaten too much, there is also a Zumba party to help you stay slim. The Carnaval ends on Tuesday, March 4, with a parade in the afternoon, and the closing program at 9 pm that includes fireworks. Then all is shut down, the streets are cleaned while the people get ready for Ash Wednesday and the somber period of Lent.
For more information on Nice Caranaval (to get ready for next year perhaps?):
General information on Nice:
