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…
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Bet you didn’t know: Carnival was born in Nice!
Nice is the original When you think Carnival, Rio and Venice instantly come to mind, but the Nice Carnival is, in fact, the oldest ever documented, with its earliest mention attributed to the Count of Provence Charles d’Anjou in 1294. While the initial festivities were likely more spontaneous revelry before Lent, it evolved significantly in the 19th century. In 1873, a dedicated Carnival Committee was established, transforming it into the grand, structured spectacle we enjoy today. Partly continuing the legacy and partly designed with the mission to attract winter tourism to the Côte d’Azur, this marked the birth of the modern carnival, complete with themed parades and elaborate floats. How…
