This event draws huge crowds of fans. There are competitions for amateurs and enthusiasts get to meet the professionals, watch them work and ask questions.
18-25 February, Alpes Maritimes: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Mimosa Festival. Spring is in the air and in Mandelieu-La-Napoule the flowering of millions of sweet smelling Mimosa flowers known as “yellow suns” is honoured. This is an annual festival in which the locals celebrate protecting the precious blooms from bad weather. Parades and processions, singing and dancing, this joyous event signals the end to winter. www.ot-mandelieu.fr
13-17 February, Granville: Normandy, Mardi Gras. Celebrated since 1872, this carnival began as a feast prepared by the wives of fishermen leaving to catch cod. These days it’s about fun and having a good time with parades, all night drinking, wearing masks and making friends as thousands arrive for this very popular five day event. www.carnaval-de-granville.fr
13 February to 1 March, Nice: Nice Carnival. Processions, flower parades and flower battles, rock, pop, fireworks and giant heads – les grosses têtes - and giants. Over a million people flock to Nice to join in the fun heralding the start of spring. www.nicecarnaval.com
19 February, Paris, Chinese New Year. Join in the fun and celebrations in this beautiful city with a colourful parade through the Quartier Chinois stretching between the Place d’Italie and the Porte de Choisy in the 13th Arrondissement. It is the Year of the Sheep!
Metro: Place d’Italie
14 February – 4 March, Menton: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Lemon Festival of Menton. The fabulous and famous Menton lemon festival celebrates with parades and immense structures built with thousands of lemons and oranges and one of the most popular festivals in the region attracting many visitors from all over the world. www.fete-du-citron.com
We check every website for dates and details personally but changes do happen from time to time – please check websites for confirmation.