One highlight in Nice’s calendar is, of course, the Carnival! It is often cited as being among the Top 10 finest carnivals in the world, unsurprising given its size and the part it has played in Nice’s history and heritage. It is held every winter in Nice over two weeks in February.
Let’s start with some carnival-related statistics: over 1,500 artists come from the four corners of the globe to bring the 14-metre high floats to life. 4,000 working hours are spent preparing for the event over a six month period! Each year the carnival welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors!
It enjoys an international status, thanks in particular to its Medieval origins, dating back to 1294 when the Count of Provence, Charles d’Anjou would come to celebrate carnival in “his fine city of Nice”. It began as a popular festival in the narrow streets of the city of Nice where it flourished for centuries.
In the 19th Century Nice became the carnival capital. In 1871, following the tragic events of the “chaos” in Paris in the aftermath of uprisings against the government, France was plunged into a period of uncertainty. This dark period interfered with the carnival, scaring the wealthy nobles who wintered in the city and were devotees of the event.
Then, in 1873, the city of Nice decided to create the first Festival Committee with the aim of promoting the city and showing that it was at peace. It is thanks to this association that the float parade exists today and that the Nice Carnival ranks among the top ten finest carnivals!
The Nice Carnival would not have the reputation it does without its Flower Battle! Nice writer, figurehead and flower enthusiast, Alphonse Karr, initiated the first battle of flowers in 1876. It was Andriot Saëtone (then secretary general of Nice’s Committee of Festivities) who went on to create the first battle of flowers on the Promenade des Anglais.
The battle of flowers is a parade of 20 floats with over 100,000 flowers thrown to the public, 90% of which are flowers that grow in the hills of the region. It’s up to you to make your own bouquet!
From 16 February to 2 March 2019, come celebrate the King of Cinema by joining the float parade and the battle of flowers!
Here is the program:
Carnival
* Saturday, February 16, 2019
* Tuesday, February 19, 2019
* Saturday, February 23, 2019
* Tuesday, February 26, 2019
* Saturday, March 2, 2019
Battle of flowers
* Saturday, February 16, 2019
* Wednesday, February 21, 2019
* Saturday, February 23, 2019
* Wednesday, February 27, 2019
* Saturday, March 2, 2019
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Our rentals nearby the events: AP1007 – AP4146 – AP2066 – AP4020