The grand Charivari by Richelmi took place on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 4 p.m. in front of the Maison de Carnaval (5 Doctor Pierre Richelmi Street), in the presence of the Mayor of Nice. On the occasion of the final preparations of the Carnival Queen and King 2026, this popular and festive gathering offers a sneak peek at the sovereigns of the 2026 edition, while enjoying numerous activities: DJ concert, distribution of ganses, batucada, and other surprises. A moment of communion that unites young and old around the carnival spirit.
Between music, costumes, and confetti battles, the Nice carnival transforms the city into a giant theater. As soon as you step through the entrance, the carnival reveals its contagious energy. Under the balcony decorated with a huge city flag, Hélène, 31, a doctoral student in literature, holds her daughter in her arms. The little one dances to the rhythm of the DJ’s music set above them. “I live in the neighborhood and have always known the carnival. I’m happy to share this with my two-year-old daughter. She’s been wanting to see the carnival floats for weeks, and today, seeing the floats makes her so happy!” says Hélène. Dressed for the occasion, the little girl claps her hands, delighted by the charivari around her.
A little further on, Sabrina, 78, retired, marvels at the sound of the drums. “I am here because I’m Niçoise and I love the carnival.” True to tradition, she comes every year for decades. “Oh, it’s magnificent! I really like it! And when I’m told that this year the king is actually the queen, I proudly say: I am Niçoise! And I love them all!”
Local traditions are also observed and renewed by the younger generation. In the middle of the street, the Niçard teacher Cristòu Daurore, re-elected president of the Republica de Nissa, oversees the launching of the Palhasso. Children and adults join forces to make a mannequin jump. “For the first time, the Palhasso will transform into a woman! We will have a group of 33 people, 22 children, and 11 adults to help us,” he explains, blending respect for customs with modernity.
Beside them, Séline, 29, an educator, accompanies children and parents. A mom explains: “We’re here to celebrate the opening of the carnival! The children are dressed as princesses, and it’s lovely to see, it’s the magic of the carnival!”
Battles without flowers but with confetti
The youngest are just as enthusiastic. Baptiste, 9, a fourth-grade student, throws confetti on his friends with a loud laugh: “I’m playing! With confetti! It’s so cool and it’s a unique party of the year!” When asked if he prefers the king or the queen, his answer is clear: “The king!”
Under the shed, Célia, 12, and Maïwenn, 8, hold their ground against Baptiste and throw confetti back at him. “What are you doing?” “Arguing with Baptiste!” The children shout and laugh in unison: “No, we are winning because there are two of us! Me and my sister!” They came as a family, accompanied by their father at the entrance, experiencing the carnival for the first time. “The queen! Because every year it was the king, now it’s the queen!”
The wonder continues with Adeline, 20, a performing arts student, attempting to take a photo from above. “It’s a party! It’s the carnival, what else! It’s fun, honestly, it’s cool!” She discovers the floats and the royalty of the carnival for the first time and concludes with enthusiasm: “I think I’ll come every year now that I’m here!”
Raphaël, 46, and job-seeking, also attempts a selfie, but the floats are too large to fit into the frame. A young woman helps him capture the moment. “It’s so magnificent! I didn’t know you could visit the workshop! I’ve been coming to the carnivals for 21 years, and it’s the first time I’ve experienced this event like this. I’m delighted!” Asked about the king or the queen: “Oh no, I love them all!”
In the distance, an Italian group of 29 students, accompanied by their teacher Tiziana, 55, turns a battle into a true confetti fight. The young girls spin in circles, film themselves, and scream, pulling their teacher into the fray before leaving in a giant single file. “We came to have fun here. Nice is wonderful, people are nice, much more so than in Paris,” explains Tiziana. For the group, this first participation is already a success. “This year, it’s 100% female,” she enthuses, before launching: “Look at us too!”
Through these encounters, the Nice carnival appears as a place of intergenerational sharing, where traditions and novelties mix in a whirlwind of confetti, costumes, and music. Every smile, every burst of laughter, every candid photo captures the essence of this unique festival. And as the floats move away and the confetti begins to fall, a truth becomes evident: here, every year, the magic of the carnival reinvents itself and brings together young and old under the same roof, that of theMaison du Carnaval!
