We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day to go to Nice Carnival 2014.  Under the bluest of blue skies we spent a fun afternoon watching the creative, witty and satirical floats pass by united under the theme of gastronomy.

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Being our 5th or 6th time at Carnaval we recognised some of the regulars – the roaring dragon, the confetti seller who comes to the school fête, the OGCN (Nice football team) supporters with balloon boobs, the man dressed as a caveman hauling a ragdoll around, the Italian flag throwers – we felt like real locals.  As always the floats represented contemporary issues and cultural icons. Amongst others Angela Merkel could be seen devouring Portugal, Spain and Greece.

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François Hollande sat on top of a pile of stinking “Holland’s cheese” representing unemployment, taxes and retirement age.  Mother Theresa could be spotted along with Coluche and the “Restos du Coeur” and the famous chef Paul Bocuse was portrayed Shiva-style with 8 arms surrounded by Buddhas.  There were floats touching upon GM food and industrialisation as well as plenty of lighter themes focusing on wine, fine dining, cakes and the enjoyment of food in general.

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If you want to find out more about Nice Carnival click here for to a piece I wrote last year. Today I leave you with some images from the 130th Carnaval de Nice in its gorgeous setting by the azure Mediterranean sea.

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Did you know there’s a festival all about lemons on at the same time as Nice carnival every year?  Find out more in this related post: Menton’s Lemon Festival

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Interested to find out more about Nice carnival?  Read this related post: Battling with flowers and the meaning of Carnival

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Have you been to carnival somewhere in the world?  I’d love to hear from you.

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