On the occasion of the Nice Carnival 2026, a specific traffic and parking plan will be implemented. Several main roads in the city center will be closed on specific dates, while access to parking and the operation of the tramway will be adjusted.
The Nice Carnival will lead to traffic restrictions on several dates between February 12 and 28, with periods of total prohibition at defined time slots and a perimeter covering a large part of the city center. On Saturdays 14, 21, and 28 February, traffic will be prohibited from 11:30 am to 1:30 am, while on Tuesdays 17 and 24 February, the ban will apply from 5:30 pm to 1 am. On Wednesdays 18 and 25 February, as well as Sunday 22 February, restrictions will be in effect from 11:30 am to 7 pm. A lighter setup will also be in place on Friday 27 February for the Queernaval.
The routes to prioritize in both directions are the Mathis road and the A8 highway, recommended as routes to avoid the festival perimeter and to facilitate traffic during the parades and flower battles. Several major roads will be completely closed during the specified hours, notably the Promenade des Anglais on the south lane from Rue Sauvan to Avenue Max Gallo, and on the north lane from Avenue Max Gallo to Boulevard Gambetta.
An expanded perimeter around the city center
Avenue Max Gallo, Place Masséna, and Avenue de Verdun in their entirety are on the list of closures, along with the Liautaud tunnel from the Max Gallo entrance to the Garibaldi exit. Other key roads affected include Rue Desboutin, Boulevard Jean-Jaurès from Place Masséna to the Crotti descent, Avenue Félix-Faure from Rue Gubernatis to Place Masséna, and Rue Saint-François de Paule between Rue Desboutin and Avenue Max Gallo.
Some dates will have regulated but not prohibited traffic, notably on February 12, 14, 17, 18, 21, 22, 24, 25, and 28, with variable time slots during the day and evening. These adjustments correspond to the routes of the Corso floats and the Battle of Flowers, as well as the return of the convoys, requiring occasional adjustments depending on the progress of the parades.
Throughout the periods of restriction, it is advised to prioritize public transportation.
Access to downtown parking will also be modified during the restriction hours, with total closures for some facilities and adapted entrances or exits for others. The Masséna parking and the Plaza parking will be closed for entry and exit, while the Ruhl – Méridien parking will have a closed entry but maintain a free exit on Rue Maccarani.
The Corvesy parking will remain accessible via Rue Alexandre Mari with an exit via Calada Escoffier, but this exit will be closed on Saturday, February 28 from 9:45 pm to 11:30 pm. The Palais de Justice parking will also have an exit closure during the same period, as will the Saleya parking. At the Sulzer parking, the entrance will be closed, and exit is only allowed towards the port, with a complete exit closure from Saturday, February 28 at 9:45 pm until March 1 at 1 am.
A risk of waiting time is reported at the arrival and departure of floats at Rauba Capeù for the Saleya and Sulzer parking, due to the proximity of festive convoys.
The tramway network will also be adjusted during the Carnival, with a specific arrangement on line 1 while line 2 will operate normally. In the direction of Hôpital Pasteur, line 1 will run between Henri Sappia and Jean Médecin, then between Garibaldi and Hôpital Pasteur, with stations Masséna, Opéra • Vieille Ville, and Cathédrale • Vieille Ville not served. In the direction of Henri Sappia, services will be provided between Hôpital Pasteur and Garibaldi, then between Masséna and Henri Sappia, not serving the Opéra • Vieille Ville and Cathédrale • Vieille Ville stations.
On Saturday, February 14 from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm, line 1 will operate between Henri Sappia and Gare Thiers and between Garibaldi and Hôpital Pasteur, with stations Jean Médecin, Masséna, Opéra • Vieille Ville, and Cathédrale • Vieille Ville not served. Transfers between lines 1 and 2 will occur at Jean Médecin and Garibaldi stops.
For reference, businesses will remain open during the carnival period.
