The most widely accepted etymology for the word "Carnival" is "carne levare" ("away with meat"). By the Middle Ages, the people of Nice, before fasting forty days according to the Catholic tradition of Lent, enjoyed rich, plentiful cuisine.
The better to celebrate this time of merriment, all excesses were authorized. It was also a time for mocking everything and everybody at everyone's expense, behind masks, protected by disguises until Mardi Gras.
The earliest mention of Carnival merrymaking in Nice goes back to 1294, when the Count of Provence Charles d'Anjou spent the "the joyous days of Carnival" in Nice.
Until the 18th century, Carnival was punctuated by masked balls and frenzied farandoles in the streets of what is now Old Nice. Any excesses were soon controlled by the "Abbés des Fous" (Fools' abbots), entrusted by the clergy with supervising the people's revelry.
Under the influence of the Carnival of Venice, a Carnival in Salons and "Veglioni" (private masked balls) developed in the course of the 18th century at the expense of the attractions in the street.
During the major political and military upheavals caused by the French Revolution and the First Napoleonic Empire, Carnival festivities were suspended.
In 1830, a first cortège was organized in honour of King Charles-Felix and Queen Marie-Christine, rulers of Piedmont-Sardinia. Some thirty carriages paraded in front of the monarchs, announcing the future form of Carnival.
THE BEGINNINGS OF 'MODERN' CARNIVAL...
Until 1872, the fun was in the streets of Nice. According to individual inspiration: the crowd wore disguises and threw plaster confetti, flour and eggs at each other.
In 1873, His Majesty King Carnival I entered his city: the modern Carnival was born.
Until 1971, Alexis Mossa, then his son Gustav-Adolf, brought their special touch, a stunning grotesque mythical particularism in designing the most spectacular floats that ever paraded in Nice.
On February 14, 1882, His Majesty "Triboulet", as he was dubbed, made a triumphal entrance into the City. This modest straw and rag puppet who had been content with simply watching the cortège go by on Place de la Préfecture participated for the first time in the parade, enthroned on the "Royal Float" as we know it today.
the detail of the designs by our prestigious press cartoonists.
To mark the beginning of the century, great care was taken over the choice of themes and cartoonists and the creation of floats. The Carnavaliers have also integrated modern materials such as plastazote use new technologies and the work of sculptors.
Nowadays......
The carnival processions, comprising 20 floats telling the story of the “Blue Planet” work their way up to a crescendo of gigantic decorations on the Place Masséna. These giant, colourful parades take place day and night, with entertainment provided by over 1,000 musicians and dancers from across the world.
In a unique setting, on the Promenade des Anglais, the elegant “flower battles” are part of the carnival not to be missed. On floats decorated with the most stunning floral compositions, extravagantly dressed characters throw out mimosas, gerberas, and lilies into the public …
My Memory about Nice Carnival
在较大的地图中查看france trip
My photo about Nice Carnival
Nice Landscape in DIpity
the topic related to Nice landscape
