French Travel News-2010/2011 | Nice carnival wraps up with final parade

Monday, 07th of March at 15.30 by Deborah Bates

The Nice Carnival wrapped up its festivities on Sunday, with a massive twenty-float parade throughout the central square.

According to the Daily Planet Dispatch, the carnival's theme this year was 'King of the Mediterranean Sea', and boasted huge figures decorated with bright colours and traditional papier-mache.

It is thought the carnival is one of the world's biggest; with thousands of people taking part, and street theatre groups and musicians from all over the world performing for them. This may encourage more people from across the world to take French holidays next year, to join in the fun of the annual event.

The final parade on Sunday travelled through the centr e of town, its central square - Place Massena - and along the sea front, the Promenade des Anglais. Set next to the stunning Mediterranean Sea, it is no wonder Nice is often nickname 'Paris by the Sea'.

Although the parade technically represented the end of the carnival, the absolute final event of the carnival will take place on Tuesday, when the 'Carnival King' statue is transported throughout the town, and ceremonially burned at sea.

Accompanied by stunning fireworks and loud music, the burning is said to symbolise Winter leaving and the upcoming arrival of Spring.

However those staying in the region still have more to look forward to, as the nearby Mention Lemon Festival is set to continue until March 9th.

Late Rooms reported that the festival - which celebrates the citrus fruit - boasts a range of street displays, parades and a permanent exhibition, focused on the yellow sensation.