Wednesday afternoon, Place Masséna transformed into a sea of colors and scents. The first flower battle of the Nice Carnival 2025 kicked off the festivities under a winter sky, but with an electrifying atmosphere. Majestic floats, armfuls of flowers, and an enthralled audience: a unique spectacle that amazed thousands of spectators.
From 2:30 PM, music resonated across the square. The first richly decorated floats made their entrance to cheers from the crowd. On their platforms, actresses in sumptuous costumes began throwing flowers to the crowd. Mimosa, lilies, roses… 42,000 stems whirled through the air, creating an enchanting floral ballet.
Far from being a simple parade, the flower battle is a tradition rooted in Nice’s history since 1876. Originally, it was an exchange of flowers among tourists. Today, it is a tribute to local producers, who supply 80% of the flowers used. Behind the scenes, floral artisans meticulously prepared each float, painstakingly placing nearly 250,000 stems in the days leading up to the event.
Among the fifteen floats that paraded, each told a story. Street performers added magic, with jugglers, dancers, and stilt walkers weaving into the parade. An explosion of colors and laughter under a rain of petals.
An Enthralled Audience, Intense Emotions
Pauline, a student from Nice, wouldn’t hide her enthusiasm for anything in the world:
“Coming to see the carnival every year is a privilege. We are in the most beautiful city in the world! I feel like there are even more people each year than the previous one.”
Sylvie, who came from Marseille with her daughters, experiences this event with emotion:
“They studied the carnival in class, and now they are experiencing it for real. They play with other children, they discover Nice through this festival. That’s the magic of the carnival.”
In the crowd, Chris, a father from Nice, savors the moment:
“The carnival is immortal. Since I arrived in Nice in 2013, I have never missed it. It’s a time when everyone forgets their worries, dances, and smiles. It’s the most beautiful thing.”
For Félix, the carnival carries a deeper message:
“In a world where there are wars and tensions, the carnival reminds us that we can all be together, laugh, and share. It’s not just a spectacle; it’s a big family gathering.”
This first flower battle perfectly launched the 2025 Carnival. The celebration continues with new battles scheduled for the coming days. Nice lights up, Nice vibrates, Nice celebrates.
