The most widely accepted etymology for the word “Carnival” is “carne levare” (“away with meat”). By the Middle Ages, the people of Nice, before fasting forty days according to the Catholic tradition of Lent, enjoyed rich, plentiful cuisine.

The better to celebrate this time of merriment, all excesses were authorized. It was also a time for mocking everything and everybody at everyone’s expense, behind masks, protected by disguises until Mardi Gras.

The earliest mention of Carnival merrymaking in Nice goes back to 1294, when the Count of Provence Charles d’Anjou spent the “the joyous days of Carnival” in Nice.

Until the 18th century, Carnival was punctuated by masked balls and frenzied farandoles in the streets of what is now Old Nice. Any excesses were soon controlled by the “Abbés des Fous” (Fools’ abbots), entrusted by the clergy with supervising the people’s revelry.

Under the influence of the Carnival of Venice, a Carnival in Salons and “Veglioni” (private masked balls) developed in the course of the 18th century at the expense of the attractions in the street.

During the major political and military upheavals caused by the French Revolution and the First Napoleonic Empire, Carnival festivities were suspended.

In 1830, a first cortège was organized in honour of King Charles-Felix and Queen Marie-Christine, rulers of Piedmont-Sardinia. Some thirty carriages paraded in front of the monarchs, announcing the future form of Carnival.


THE BEGINNINGS OF ‘MODERN’ CARNIVAL...


Until 1872, the fun was in the streets of Nice. According to individual inspiration: the crowd wore disguises and threw plaster confetti, flour and eggs at each other.

In 1873, Andriot Saëtone of Nice took the initiative of founding the “Festival Committee” entrusted with organizing and magnifying the Carnival of Nice under the municipality’s patronage.

Thus, on February 23, 1873, His Majesty King Carnival I entered his city: the modern Carnival was born.