Et voila! everything pops into scented bubbles, wild colours and shocking beauty. For the happy few, this late winter escape on the French Riviera is the surprise conquest of forgotten festivity.
THE FIND
A sensory raid on the Riviera during Carnival. Nice, Menton, Mandelieu-la-Napoule
This is a masterclass in regional celebration. This Riviera adventure is the ultimate antidote to grey skies, the unlocking of unexpected extravaganza. In February, the happy few go to Nice for the Carnival and stay for the myriad parties, for the golden explosion of mimosa, and for the discovery of Menton’s fantastical citrus architecture.
INTEL
When to Visit: The main window spans two weeks in February or early March, ending before Ash Wednesday. Check official calendars for Nice Carnival, Menton’s Fête du Citron, and Mandelieu’s Mimosa Festival to ensure your visit overlaps with all three.
Where to Stay: Base yourself in Nice; it’s central for accessing all three festivals and you’ll enjoy perfect public transport. Even for the happy few who are regulars, and thus tempted by a more reclusive spot, playing the local for the late evening parades and parties is the smarter play.
Getting Around: Nice has efficient trams and buses for city travel. For excursions to Mandelieu and Menton, the regional SNCF train service along the coast is fast and scenic, almost like a coastal metro. That being said, you really don’t need a car.
Nice Carnival Essentials:
- Parades: Each year features a unique theme guiding the elaborate floats and grosses têtes (large caricatures). 18 floats, two kind of shows: the daytime Corso Carnavalesque and the night Corso Illuminé
- Flower Battles: the iconic parade on the Promenade des Anglais, where floats adorned with fresh flowers shower the crowd.
- Access: Book tickets for seated stands (Place Masséna, Promenade des Anglais) for prime viewing. Wearing a full costume (head-to-toe) often grants free standing access – children especially enjoy this.
- Other Events: Bal Veglione, the elegant costumed ball held at the Opéra de Nice, The Carnival Village, Lou Queernaval (France’s first gay carnival), street performances. The Carnival concludes with the symbolic Burning of the King mascot and fireworks over the sea.
Mimosa Festival: Located west of Cannes, Mandelieu-la-Napoule hosts its golden festival concurrently. Expect parades (yes, it’s carnival time 🙂 ) adorned with tons of fresh mimosa. Time for a hike, the kind the happy few like: the nearby Massif du Tanneron is home to Europe’s largest mimosa forest. The Grand-Duc Forest is the best place to discover flowering mimosas and has well-kept trails, picnic points and stunning views of the coast.
Fête du Citron: Further east of Nice and Monaco, Menton’s Fête du Citron is a unique spectacle. Colossal, intricate structures are built entirely from lemons and oranges, a striking and aromatic counterpart to the Carnival. The VIP is the Menton lemon itself, famed for its exceptional zest and low acidity perfected by the unique microclimate of Menton’s slopes.
