Nice Carnival: the Holiday of Fun and Emancipation, Nice

Between February 14 and March 4, Nice is hosting its traditional carnival, one of the largest and oldest in the world. Every year, the Cote d'Azur attracts more than a million people. Each year, the carnival has its own unique theme, which begins with the word “king”. The king of sport, circus, dance, laughter, fools etc. Carnival theme in 2014 is King of Gastronomy. Tourists will have opportunity to learn special aspects of a meal, taste fine French cuisine, including appetizers, soups, salads, wine.
The cuisine of Nice, of Provence, often referred to as the sun cuisine, is unique. Sea food, egg rolls, vegetables, fruit, light and delicate pink wine... Provencal delicacies were mentioned by Alphonse Daudet in his novel Tartarin of Tarascon. Many restaurants of Nice will offer you a wide range of dishes cooked according to local culinary traditions.
It is believed that Carnaval De Nice was born in 1294. At that time, Duke of Anjou visited this area and decided to make some fun. Balls and fireworks occupied the town, fishermen and craftsmen were dancing and singing. For centuries, the festivity was improvised, and only in 1873 its organisation was arranged by the city government. At that time the carnival got its king and features we can see today.
Today, Nice Carnival lasts for two weeks day and night. On Promenade des Anglais, one can see a parade of twenty giant platforms, each of six meters high and decorated with fresh flowers. Charming local girls and boys in festive costumes throw in the crowd tons of roses, carnations, lilies, violets and mimosas. This is the famous parade of flowers, the flower battle.
The spotlight of the carnival is a King of a five- six-story house high made of papier-mache. Knights, mermaids, Snow Whites, dragons, fishes, parodies of famous personalities and other can be seen there. In the evening, Massena Square dives into the ocean of fireworks and concerts. Musicians, dancers and actors have performances on stages and squares. Citizens and tourists wear carnival costumes and masks, play with silly string. You shouldn’t worry as such colourful “noodles” leave no trace on ears or clothes.
On the last night of the celebration, His Majesty King Carnival is burned and colourful fireworks appear in the sky. Nice is beautiful any day or time. But carnival days filled with music, delicious Provence dishes, and fragrant flowers, make this time and city even more attractive. At the carnival, casual atmosphere prevails: adult audiences and even VIP-guests are easy to forget about their social status, they shout and have fun next to jesters and clowns.