Nice Carnival: the King's Parade, the Flower Battle & the Old Town
The Carnival of Nice with a local guide: the floats of Place Masséna, the flower battles on the Promenade, and the Old Town between two parades.
Overview
The Carnival of Nice is one of the great carnivals of the world, and the oldest on the Riviera. For 2027, from 9 to 28 February on the theme "Vive l'Amour", the King and his floats parade on Place Masséna by day and by night, while the flower battles on the Promenade des Anglais throw mimosa, lilies and gerberas to the crowd. This half day with Pacôme places the festival in its history, from the medieval carnival to the first floats of 1873, and keeps the best of Nice around it: the Old Town, the market and the panorama from Castle Hill.
The half day is built around the parade you choose: a flower battle in the afternoon, a parade of lights in the evening, or simply the festival atmosphere of the city between two events. Whether we spend one hour or four, the price is the same, €450 per group. Seats in the stands are booked separately.
Dates & practical details
Carnaval de Nice 2027: 9 to 28 February 2027, theme "Vive l'Amour". Parades on Place Masséna and flower battles on the Promenade des Anglais on selected days and evenings; programme published by the city.
- Seats in the stands for the parades and the flower battles are booked in advance and paid separately; Pacôme indicates which days to choose.
- On parade days, part of the city centre is closed to traffic: the pickup point is adapted.
- The Carnival overlaps with the Fête du Citron in Menton: the two can be combined on consecutive days.
Stops on This Journey
- 01
Nice
Place Masséna and the carnival village, the Promenade des Anglais for the flower battles, the Old Town, the Cours Saleya market and Castle Hill.
A Glimpse of the Experience
What's Included
Included
- Free Vehicle: brand-new, all-electric French Renault 5 (up to 3 guests), pickup at your hotel included, door to door. For larger groups, a Mercedes V-Class van with a professional driver (up to 6 guests, 6 cabin bags and 6 checked bags), at a fixed price of €525 per van.
- Private experience with a licensed guide (Pacôme)
- Tailor-made itinerary adapted to your interests and pace
- Photo opportunities
- Local gems and insights
Not Included
- Parking fees for Pacôme's vehicle: €50 per group (€50 per day, one day), added to your online payment. Transportation itself is free. Not charged with the chauffeur-driven van.
- Entrance fees to museums, attractions and gardens
- Private workshops or tastings
- Food and drinks
- Personal expenses
Your Guide
Pacôme, your licensed private guideGood to know
Do we need tickets for the Nice Carnival?
The parades can be followed standing from free areas, but a seat in the stands is far more comfortable, especially for the flower battles. Tickets are sold by the city in advance and are not included in the price; Pacôme tells you which parade and which day are worth it.
How is pricing structured?
€450 per group, the half-day rate. Every half-day experience is one flat rate for up to 4 hours door to door, transport time included: a shorter visit like this one is booked at the same rate, and we can use the remaining time as you wish. The price is for your whole group, not per person. Groups above 15 guests (up to 30 max) are quoted at double the rate.
Is transportation included?
Transportation is included: a free all-electric vehicle for up to 3 guests. Transportation itself is free; only the public parking is charged: €50 per group (€50 per day, one day), added to your online payment. There is no parking fee with the chauffeur-driven van. Pickup at your hotel, villa or ship anywhere on the Riviera is part of the half-day rate, door to door, the journey counted within the 4 hours. For larger groups, a Mercedes V-Class van with a professional driver, through Pacôme's partner (up to 6 guests, 6 cabin bags and 6 checked bags), is available at a fixed price of €525 per van, with no parking fee. Let's confirm the details together when you send your enquiry.
How much walking is involved?
This is a walking-based experience through pedestrian streets and, in some cases, stepped lanes. Let Pacôme know in advance if the pace needs adjusting for anyone in your group.
Can the itinerary be adjusted?
Yes, every experience can be adapted to your interests, pace and mobility, and its length can flex shorter or longer around your group's needs. Reach out with any specific requests before booking.