Paris Carnival gives you Caribbean energy in the heart of the city. It's a sneaky little gem if you're new to carnivals.
What to Expect
France has two carnivals worth the trip and they could not be less alike. Nice Carnival on the Côte d'Azur is one of the oldest in the world — giant mechanical floats, the Flower Parade, and a season that runs a fortnight in February. Paris, meanwhile, has a Caribbean carnival proper: the Carnaval Tropical, run by and for the French Antillean and African diaspora in the summer.
Nice Carnival runs a fortnight in February, ending the weekend before Lent
Nice's Corso Carnavalesque float parades and Bataille de Fleurs flower battles are the signature events
Paris hosts the Carnaval Tropical in summer — Antillean, Guianese and African groups on the road
Two completely different crowds: Nice is a civic spectacle, Paris is a diaspora carnival
Both are reachable from the UK without flying — Eurostar to Paris, TGV onward to Nice
Places to Stay
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Ride-Hailing Apps
Uber
Widely available across France. Essential in Paris for Caribbean events and Mas Parisien.
Bolt
Popular cheaper alternative to Uber in Paris and major French cities.
Mas Bands
Fetes & Events
Things To Do
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Getting Around
Nice has trams and buses covering the carnival route, and the Promenade des Anglais is walkable from the centre.
Paris has the Métro and RER for the Carnaval Tropical; the parade route is announced close to the date.
Driving is on the right. A car is unnecessary for either carnival and parking is difficult in both cities.
Eurostar to Paris and TGV onward to Nice means you can reach both without flying.
Expect road closures along the parade routes and plan on walking the final stretch.
Typical Costs from the UK
Estimates only — prices vary by airline, timing and section choice. Use the budget calculator to build your own breakdown.
When to Book
Decide which carnival you are going for, because they are six months and 900 kilometres apart. For Nice, the fortnight ends the weekend before Lent — book accommodation by November, as the city fills, and buy grandstand seats online in advance if you want a guaranteed view of the float parades. For the Carnaval Tropical in Paris, the parade is free to watch and you can book far later; the date moves, so check with the organisers. This is the cheapest carnival on the site from the UK, largely because you can take the train and skip airfare altogether.
Plan This Carnival
🎭 Feb (Nice)
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