Nice Carnival 2012 February 18th: Flower parade and illuminated corso

It was on the seafront, along Promenade des Anglais, that the first Flower Parade (Bataille de Fleurs) was held in 1876. Soon, the timid exchanges of bouquets of flowers between the rich winter visitors' decorated carriages developed into a prestigious show, now an integral part of Carnival.



Today,this event promotes the quality and large variety of Riviera flowers as some 90% of flowers used are produced locally.

20 flower covered floats parade along the promenade des Anglais between the Théâtre de Verdure and the Hotel Negresco.

The development and conception of the floats is a long and meticulous task which nonetheless has to be carried out within a very short lapse of time.




WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE ILLUMINATED CARNIVAL PARADE:

THE KING OF SPORT

Nice Carnival 2012 February 17th: Opening festivities

The theme for 2012 is « King of Sport », a reference to the 2012 London Olympics as well as to the sporting dynamism of Nice, France and on a wider scale the planet. The theme is very universal and unifying and will pay tribute throughout the parades to all the competions of 2012!

Download here the full 2 weeks programme Nice Carnival from February 17th to March 4th 2012.



Kickoff Carnival in Nice last night with the King of Sport. The 2 weeks event is likely to attract more than a million spectators from all over the globe.


The Queen of Sport with the Olympic rings

Nice Carnival 2011 VIDEOS

Click below for the videos 2011 in grand format and resolution:
Click here for the Nice carnival Video opening festivities
Click here for the Nice carnival Video flower parade

Nice Carnival 2011 February 18: First flower parade

It was on the seafront, along Promenade des Anglais, that the first Bataille de Fleurs (Flower Parade) was held in 1876. Soon, the timid exchanges of bouquets of flowers between the rich winter visitors' decorated carriages developed into a prestigious show, now an integral part of Carnival.


On each float, costumed models throw 80 to 100.000 flowers to an enthusiastic crowd:


gladioli, tokyos, mimosas, gerberas, daisies, roses, carnations...


These "battles" are staged on the same theme as the Carnival floats. The costumes are designed in a workshop entirely dedicated to their creation.They are unique creations as for theatre performances.

This event is one of its kind in the world and features among the most famous of the French Riviera. Nice exportes its know-how in the fields of elegance, beauty and the charm of these flower parades.


Click on Nice Carnival Programme to read the full 2 weeks programme.

Nice Carnival 2011 February 18: Opening festivities

Kickoff Carnival in Nice last night with the King of the Mediterranean. The 2 weeks event is likely to attract more than a million spectators from all over the globe.

Two superstars, the "King of the Mediterranean" and his wife "Nice, pearl of the Mediterranean", made a grand entrance last night on the Massena square in Nice. Two giants giving the kickoff, alongside the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi.
The king is the sun. Gold. Immense polished to 18 meters. The queen is Nice and the Baie des Anges.


This was a bit of a scary moment for the crowds as this massive inflatable serpent came closer and closer to the crowds....

Next day, at 14:30, there will be the first battle of flowers on the Promenade des Anglais and at 21:00, on Place Massena, the whole carnival parade will be illuminated.

Click on Nice Carnival Programme to read the full 2 weeks programme.

Dans sa belle Nice
Pays des Amours
Par royal caprice
Il revient toujours !
Pour quelques semaines
Il règne sur nous
Et sur ses domaines
Nous sommes tous fous.
Bravo !!!!!

Nice France Carnival 2011 programme February 18th - March 8th

One of the previous carnival parades

The main winter event on the Riviera is one of the largest carnivals in the world, offering a programme of unforgettable entertainment … from February 18th to March 8th 2011.

The Theme: Roi de la Méditerranée (King of the Mediterranean)

The carnival processions, comprising 20 floats telling the story of the “Mediterranean” work their way up to a crescendo of gigantic decorations on the Place Masséna. These giant, colourful parades take place day and night, with entertainment provided by over 1,000 musicians and dancers from across the world.


In a unique setting, on the Promenade des Anglais, the elegant “flower battles” are part of the carnival not to be missed. On floats decorated with the most stunning floral compositions, extravagantly dressed characters throw out mimosas, gerberas, and lilies into the public …

One of the previous Parades of Lights

For over 15 days, the city hums to the rhythm of this genuine, fairy-tale event … get a passport for the celebration and let the magic do its work … come and forget the dullness of winter and take in the sun on the French Riviera!

2011 Programme: for more information and tickets visit the official website of Nice Carnaval.

Friday 18th February
8:30pm Opening festivities
Saturday 19th February
2:30pm Flower Parade
9:00pm Parade of Lights
Sunday 20th February
2:30pm Carnival Parade
Tuesday 22nd February
2:30pm Carnival Parade
Wednesday 23rd February
2:30pm Flower Parade
Saturday 26th February
2:30pm Flower Parade
9:00pm Parade of Lights
Sunday 27th February
2:30pm Carnival Parade
Tuesday 1st March
2:30pm Carnival Parade
Wednesday 2nd March
2:30pm Flower Parade
Saturday 5th March
2:30pm Flower Parade
9:00pm Parade of Lights
Sunday 6th March
2:30pm Carnival Parade
Tuesday 8th March
2:30pm Carnival Parade
8:30pm Closing festivities
9:30pm Incineration and firework display

When you have time, this time of year is also very nice to explore the region by bus. A single trip within 74 minutes, also to Cannes and Monaco, only costs 1 euro. The busstops to go to Monaco, Saint Jean, etc will be changed due to reorganisation of the area of the former busstation. You can find the new busstops on page 14 and 15 of the 3rd edition of Nice Expression.

Nice Carnival 2010 Fireworks finale of Carnaval celebrations February 28th

Bye Bye Nice carnival 2010; the King of the Blue Planet is dead now (see the fire on the right)...







...but will rise from the ashes to become the King of the Mediterranean from 18 the February to 8th March 2011!



We shall wait till next year to see the beautiful flower parades again...

Nice Carnival 2010 The illuminated parades

The theme of this float is 'racing man' to express our exagerated need of gas for our cars.

'La vie reprend ses droits' or 'life retakes his rights' is presented by this wooden king who is becoming a tree that grows and uses 2 cars as shoes and is holding two human coming out an egg in his hand.

These frogs are very funny and fit well within the theme of Nice Carnival 2010: the king of the blue planet.

'La Terre parmi les déchets' means earth under the rubbish and the mice and rats seems to be very happy with that. They ate from the blue planet if it was an apple leaving a core.

Click for the Nice Carnival 2010 Programme Feb. 12-28

Nice Carnival 2010 The flower parades

Along the Promenade des Anglais, the first Bataille de fleurs (battle of flowers)was held in 1876. Soon, the timid exchanges of bouquets of flowers between the rich winter visitors' decorated carriages developed into a prestigious show, now an integral part of Carnival.


On each float, costumed models throw 80 to 100.000 flowers to an enthusiastic crowd : gladioli, tokyos, mimosas, gerberas, daisies, roses, carnations...
These "battles" are staged on the same theme as the Carnival floats.


This event is one of its kind in the world and features among the most famous of the French Riviera. Nice exportes its know-how in the fields of elegance, beauty and the charm of these flower parades.

Click for the Nice Carnival 2010 Programme Feb. 12-28

Nice Carnival 2010 more pictures

On this float above and on the right you can see a stork that has difficulties to bring all those babies because of overpopulation, which is the name of this float ('la surpopulation').

This elefant has a movable trunk. The name of this item is 'récup' (recuperation)

The theme of this float is 'Nice engloutie par la nature', which means: the city of Nice absorbed by nature. On top of this tree you can see the Negresco, at the back the Russian Cathedral and some other famous buildings.

With this float the food chain is explained.

There is a lot more in the carnival parade, and I haven't posted yet the pictures of the beautiful flower parades which are called the "bataille des fleurs" and the illuminated corso's at night... I will do so these 2 weeks of Carnival.

Click for the Nice Carnival 2010 Programme Feb. 12-28

Nice Carnival 2010 February 14th part 2

Here are some more pics taken on Feb. 14, 2010.

Smoke is coming from this dragon!








This is the queen of the Blue Planet.

Click for the Nice Carnival 2010 Programme Feb. 12-28

Nice Carnival 2010 February 14th

A float with U.S. President Barack Obama on Feb. 14, 2010

This float, called "Yes we can be ecologist", parades during the 126th edition of the Nice Carnival, here on one of the parade of lights on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010.

Noah's Arch fits well in the carnival theme of this year "King of the Blue Planet".

But it isn't that what you think! In fact this float is called: "the revolt of the beasts", as you can see by the captured people on top of the boat.


Click for the Nice Carnival 2010 Programme Feb. 12-28