Departure at precisely 2 PM, Jean-Médecin Avenue. Free and open to all, the grand carnival parade “Carnavalina” gathered families, locals from Nice, and visitors who came to celebrate the opening of the carnival. Amid festive floats, meaningful messages, and a vibrant atmosphere, the parade traveled through the city to the Promenade and Théâtre de Verdure, transforming the center of Nice into a lively and colorful stage.
It’s exactly 2 PM. On Jean-Médecin Avenue, a suspended breath is felt among the crowd. Numbers increase, voices blend, then a burst of firecrackers echoes: the grand parade begins under a shower of cheers and applause. Like the kickoff of a match, an eagle is released into the sky to symbolically mark the beginning of the parade. The kickoff is launched, the celebration can commence.
Quickly, the flow of people extends from the city center to the Promenade, heading towards the Théâtre de Verdure. Families, friends, and visitors crowd against the barriers, waiting impatiently. Municipal officials supervise the parade: a few frictions arise when some spectators attempt to cross the barriers, but the atmosphere generally remains friendly.
The floats move slowly, propelled by the sound of music and the public’s cheers. Community floats, dancers from Nice, festive figures like Marianne: the procession blends tradition and creativity. An immense wave even sweeps through the crowd, spontaneously started by the spectators. During the progression, some messages capture attention. Slogans like “The Queens Rebel” are visible on the floats, adorned with LGBT flags and signs with satirical messages: “The people demand bread”, “Let them eat brioche”, or “Sweet revolution led by apprentices”. These nods underline that the carnival is often a mix of festivities, humor, and collective expression.
The Celebration Experienced by Locals
Nadia, a local from Nice, savors every moment of the parade among the spectators. Positioned along Jean-Médecin Avenue, she watches the floats pass with a big smile. “Today, I am witnessing the launch of the carnival. All the people from Nice, as well as participants in the carnival and tourists who come especially for the event, are very happy. The Nice carnival enjoys a great international reputation,” she confides, carried by the community spirit. According to her, the event is an opportunity for sharing and local pride. She focuses on the Queen, dressed in pink, making her way through the crowd under a shower of confetti: “This year, she is truly magnificent. They are valuing women, and we are delighted.“
A little further, Frédérique, accompanies her two little girls, Lou and Mila, who stand on tiptoe to better see the dancers. The children’s sparkling eyes respond to each piece of music, captivated by the costumes and characters. “It’s great, it makes a difference. For little girls, princesses, it’s perfect.” She recounts having attempted an outing to the Charivari a few days before, but the crowd was such that she wasn’t able to fully enjoy it.
Here, the atmosphere seems more pleasant, more natural, almost like a family. When the question of a more political aspect of the carnival is raised, Frédérique immediately adds nuance: “To me, the carnival is festive. It’s for the children, for the adults, for everyone. For me, it’s apolitical.” Around her, the laughter of children, applause, and music gradually drown out conversations, reminding us that, for many, the parade remains above all a space for celebration and shared joy.
As the parade progresses towards the Promenade, confetti flies through the air and lively rhythms resonate within the crowd. Carnavalina transforms the center of Nice into a vast open-air theatrical stage where different generations and cultures meet. During an afternoon, the city moves in unison, carried by a common desire: to celebrate together.
