The 123rd edition of the Nice Carnival, organized by the Office of Tourism and Conventions, has rugby as its theme. The King of the Very Large Scrum will lead the discussions, alternating openings down the middle and wide with big chandelles without seeing the 36. Although… The carnival spirit of derision and caricature will not forget to evoke on the floats the second event of 2007: the presidential elections. The main political actors will thus stroll along the Promenade des Anglais at the end of January.
The route remains unchanged all around the Albert 1st Garden. The Corsos go around the Albert 1st Garden and the flower battles circuit runs along the seafront from the Méridien Hotel to the Nice Opera.
Two major new features include free walkways (except for flower battles) with fewer stands (3,000 fewer seats) and a zone for fun activities in the Albert 1st Garden from 11 a.m. with a tightrope walker, makeup artists, and kites.
160 carnival-goers will accompany the parades. They will be three times more numerous this year and will represent the eight territories of the City. The organizers are considering distinguishing the different districts by a color or a flag for better identification. The arrival of the King will be escorted by more than 1,000 children in partnership with schools and rugby schools.
Gérald-Francis Fazincani, Deputy Mayor, delegated to Tourism, Bernard Morel, General Director of the Nice Office of Tourism and Conventions, and Gad Weil, Artistic Director of the Carnival, have concocted a beautiful, original carnival in tune with the times. By reducing the stands and making it free, they hope for a more festive carnival where tourists and locals from Nice will mingle for a shared celebration with as many costumes as possible. They anticipate 50,000 people following the parades.
