Early Year & Winter Events in France (January–March)

? Nice Carnival (Carnaval de Nice)

• When: February–early March (varies each year, tied to Lent)

• Where: Nice, French Riviera

• What Happens:

  • Street parades with giant papier-mâché floats, satirical themes, and thousands of performers.

  • The famous Bataille de Fleurs (Battle of Flowers) where floats covered in flowers shower the crowds with blossoms.

  • Night parades, fireworks, music, and international guest performers.

• Why Important:

  • One of the world’s top three carnivals (with Rio and Venice).

  • Boosts local tourism—hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

  • Strong cultural heritage: the tradition dates back to the Middle Ages.

? Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival – Menton)

• When: Mid-February (runs about 2–3 weeks)

• Where: Menton, French Riviera (near Italian border)

• What Happens:

  • Giant sculptures, floats, and garden displays made entirely of lemons and oranges.

  • Parades with music, folk dancing, and citrus-themed performances.

  • Nighttime “Golden Fruit Parades” with illuminated citrus sculptures.

• Why Important:

  • Menton is known as the “City of Lemons.”

  • Brings together artists, designers, and horticultural experts to create monumental citrus art.

  • Draws more than 200,000 visitors annually.

? Paris Fashion Week (Haute Couture + Ready-to-Wear)

• When: January (Haute Couture) & March (Women’s Ready-to-Wear)

• Where: Paris, across grand venues like the Carrousel du Louvre, Palais de Tokyo, Grand Palais.

• What Happens:

  • Elite fashion houses (Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy) present new collections.

  • Celebrity-packed shows, media coverage, and global networking.

• Why Important:

  • Paris is the world capital of fashion—this event defines international fashion trends.

  • A magnet for celebrities, influencers, and press, which in turn fuels luxury tourism.

? Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday)

• When: February/March (date shifts, tied to Easter calendar)

• Where: Nationwide (famous in Paris, Dunkirk, and Nice Carnival itself).

• What Happens:

  • Parades, masquerade balls, costumes, and local food traditions (crêpes, beignets, waffles).

  • Dunkirk Carnival is particularly wild—fishermen throw kippers into the crowds from city hall!

• Why Important:

  • A deep-rooted Catholic tradition now celebrated as a cultural event.

  • A colorful mix of food, music, and local identity.

? Angoulême International Comics Festival (Festival International de la Bande Dessinée d’Angoulême)

• When: Late January

• Where: Angoulême, southwestern France

• What Happens:

  • Europe’s biggest comic book festival, with exhibitions, artist talks, and book signings.

  • Industry awards (the “Fauve d’Or”) presented to top international comic artists.

• Why Important:

  • Angoulême is often called the “comic capital of Europe.”

  • Attracts over 200,000 visitors yearly and strengthens France’s influence in the graphic novel world.

? Alpine Ski Festivals & Competitions

• When: January–March (peak ski season)

• Where: French Alps (Chamonix, Courchevel, Val d’Isère)

• What Happens:

  • Major international skiing and snowboarding competitions.

  • Winter music festivals like Tomorrowland Winter in Alpe d’Huez (March).

• Why Important:

  • The French Alps are a global winter tourism hotspot.

  • Combines sports + lifestyle + music—big appeal for younger international audiences.

?️ Summary Table — Winter Highlights (Jan–Mar)