January
Lunapark – indoor covered funfair
Palais des Expositions
1 Avenue de la Republic
06300
The Mimosa Trail,
When the mimosa blooms it signals the end of winter in Provence and time for the festivities to begin. Commonly called the mimosa trail the mimosa route spans 80 miles and incorporates 8 towns and villages, Grasse, Bormes les Mimosas, Le Rayol-Canadel, Sainte Maxime, Saint Raphaël, Mandelieu-la Napoule, Tanneron, and Pégomas For 2 months between 15th January and 15th March a string of events are organised parades, flower battles, guided walks, courses in perfume making in Grasse and much more.
For more information: Contact the Saint Raphaël tourist office or visit
www.tourismevar.com/carnetsderoute/mimosas.htm
Temperatures: average high 55f average low 42f
February
The Carnival, the most important event on the French Riviera, for its 126th edition will be
« King of the Blue Planet », from 13 to 28th February 2010.
The Carnival’s central theme introduces a standard creative nature to the characters. The theme will be “King of the Blue Planet", a timely, trans-generational theme illustrating the major concerns relating to the planet, the environment and therefore man.
It will address the most important cause of the moment which has no borders: concern for the protection of nature and its preservation. It will therefore highlight biodiversity in the wider sense (fauna and flora), the elements that constitute it but also emphasise man’s mistakes. The tone will be caustic, entertaining and humorous in the spirit of the Carnival celebration.
watch excerts from last year's carnival.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0OXgmtuA-s
Nice Carnival - The carnival in Nice dates back to the middle ages and draws visitors from the world over. (For more detailed information look under the February tab in the archives on the right of the page).
The Nice Carnival draws visitors from all over Europe and North America. It is held each February and dates back to the 13th century. Traditionally it was a time of festivities when the Nicoise could indulge themselves eating lots of rich food in preparation for the 40 days fasting during Lent. At this time rules were relaxed. People wore disguises and masks and let off steam by playing jokes on their peers and even masters. It was a joyeuse time with much dancing in the streets of the “old town”. Over the years the festivities must have become more and more boisterous because in the 18th century there was a crack down and the celebrations became more sedate. Masked balls were held and street entertainment declined.
By 1873 the carnival had developed into something we would all recognise today with the introduction by the local artist Alexis Mossa and his son Gustave of the giant figures (grosses têtes).
Each year the carnival tries to find a topical theme and each carnival finale is a firework display which lights up the Baie des Anges (Angel Bay) and the carnival king is pushed out to sea on a lighted pyre.
The Battle of Flowers
The spectators are bombarded by thousands of petals as they watch this procession filter past. The event culminates in a beautiful firework display over the baie des anges.
The lemon festival in Menton
This is an annual festival held from mid February to early march. Approximately 130 tons of citric fruit, both oranges and lemons are constructed into carnival floats which roll slowly along the Baie de Soleil to the accompaniment of musicians, jugglers and pretty girls in national costume.
Each year the theme is different and floats are imaginatively constructed to depict anything from the Taj Mahal to a giant banana. The main processions take place on Sundays in the afternoon and evening.
In case you were worrying about the waste of fruit, it is juiced, chrystallised, made into jam and the tarte du citron that Menton is famous for. It is possible to visit the workshops where the jam is made. You can also visit the lemon plantations. Ask at the tourist office.
http://www.menton.fr
a flicker show of the 2009 lemon festival can be seen on:
http://www.feteducitron.com/photos-fete-du-citron.html
Temperatures: average high 55f average low 43f
