For the first time since 1873, the 2026 iteration of Carnaval de Nice prioritises women front and centre with its theme « Vive La Reine ! »
Towering over six stories high, this year’s reigning royalty is Queen Gaïa, presiding over revelers both the young and the child-like at heart. With an original idea by artist Gérard Artufel and designed and crafted by Concept Evenementiel, Queen Gaïa is Mother Earth personified from whom all life springs forth. With her palms outstretched, one holding a frog prince and equally balancing the earth with the other, this year’s centerpiece is a confident tower of equality, love, compassion and just ruling who has paved the way for other women to make their own mark in our contemporary history.
La Grand Charivari de Richelmi
The festivities kicked off with La Grand Charivari de Richelmi, held on February 11 in front of La Maison de Carnaval, where the community was treated to some dancing in the streets, confetti cannons and a preview of the floats awaiting for their official public appearances.
Accompanying Queen Gaïa this year are some equally strong and powerful women from international figures like American black activist Rosa Parks, Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and American musician Beyoncé to local French heroines like Joséphine Baker who was interred at the Panthéon in Paris in 2021, becoming the first black woman to receive such a recognition.
This year’s theme has organically elicited political statements of empowerment, featured in one float where the main film characters Thelma and Louise (from the 1991 film of the same name) are now 30 years older but this time, has taken the wheel from male dominated Hollywood execs and makes a #MeToo statement with a sign.
Well, it’s about time! To the naked eye, the intentional decision in featuring a Queen (after 96-years of male-centered subjects) for the first time at the Carnaval de Nice seems to be a no-brainer. However, this impact is exponential. Prominently prioritizing women at the forefront of the parade is a momentous teaching opportunity for our future queens and kings – the growing changemakers – who will learn and be inspired by the heroines featured on the floats. Who knows – maybe the laughing child next to you is the future Madame La Présidente, ensuring true egalité not just for France but for the world.
Journée de la Carnavalina
Returning from its 2025 debut, La Carnavalina invites revelers from across the Côte d’Azur region in a parade commencing from the Notre-Dame Basilica through Avenue Jean Médecin and Place Masséna, and finally culminating at La Promenade des Anglais, allowing for the bystanders to join in on the fun.
The free event featured local groups dressed in various festive attire from traditional Niçoise folk garments to elaborate Renaissance towering wigs and bustles, to everything in between!
Along the parade route, spectators on the sidelines were gifted flowers and mimosas by the parade participants. As La Carnavalina went on, attendees were treated to dance and music by costumed participants.
Throughout the parade, the theme of women empowerment has certainly infused itself throughout. A group of percussionists are led by three young female drummers. Women on stilts with big elaborate chiffon ballgowns coquettishly waved at the revelers down below with their fans.
A local group of students paraded in a colourful cardboard bus marked Rosa Parks
A mother and her two children joined the parade in their traditional white African dresses and orange, peach and pink turbans.
Wait – There’s More!
For details and tickets, visit NiceCarnaval.com/
PHOTO CREDITS
- All photos courtesy and © Marcus Gualberto, all rights reserved
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