Airport Transfers to Nice
Pre-booked private transfers and shared shuttles for your arrival.
Europe's second-largest carnival fills the Promenade des Anglais with a two-week programme of flower battles, night parades, and illuminated floats drawing 300,000 visitors.
Annual. Carnival runs for approximately 17 days ending on Shrove Tuesday. In 2026: 14 February to 1 March.
Nice Carnival has been running since 1294, making it one of the oldest in Europe. The modern format centres on two types of events: the Corso Carnavalesque (night parades of illuminated floats down the Promenade des Anglais) and the Batailles de Fleurs (flower battles, where costumed participants on floats throw fresh flowers into the crowd along the Promenade). Both run on alternating days across the 17-day programme. The Roi du Carnaval (King of Carnival), a giant satirical papier-mâché figure chosen around a new theme each year, presides over the events from a central float and is ceremonially burned at sea on the final night.
Nice is the most accessible carnival on the French Riviera: the city is 30 minutes from Monaco, 2 hours from Marseille, and directly on the TGV line from Paris (5.5 hours). Accommodation in Nice during carnival costs 50-80% above normal rates but remains cheaper than Monaco or Cannes. The Old Town (Vieux-Nice) has the best bar and restaurant density for the evenings after parades: Cours Saleya runs outdoor dining until 10pm, and the alleys behind it have bars open until 2am. The beach itself is pebble, not sand, which affects the after-parade beach experience.
Party hostels within reach of Nice's main celebrations. Ranked by guest rating.
Day-by-day breakdown
Grandstand seats along the Promenade des Anglais cost €15-30 and must be booked in advance through nice-carnival.com. Standing tickets are cheaper at €8-12 and give access to the designated street viewing zones. Parades run from around 3pm (flower battles) or 9pm (night parade); evening parades last 2-3 hours. Arrive 45 minutes before the start for a good standing position. On non-parade days, the floats are exhibited at the Espace Masséna: free viewing.
Cours Saleya in the Old Town is the main outdoor dining and bar area: restaurants here serve Niçoise cuisine (salade niçoise, socca flatbread, pissaladière) at €12-25 per main. After 9pm the alleys behind Cours Saleya — particularly Rue de la Préfecture and Rue du Moulin — have bars running until 1-2am. Beer costs €5-8; cocktails €9-14 in the Old Town.
Pre-booked private transfers and shared shuttles for your arrival.