Granville’s carnival takes place every year during the five days that precede Shrove Tuesday. For its 144th edition in 2018 the Carnival welcomed more than 150 000 visitors. It is the most important event in the West of France, if not the most well-known. The next edition will take place from the 1st to the 5th of March 2019.
Since the 30th November 2016, the Carnival of Granville is on the UNESCO list.
The Carnival’s history has been linked to the maritime activities of the city for centuries. When cod fishing was the main activity in the port, the fishermen left the city around Shrove Tuesday. The Carnival was their last chance to celebrate before leaving. Moreover, this tradition is still observed in other French ports, each carnival having its own culture and identity.
Preparing Carnaval
Starting in September every year, the forty something floats are built in a huge depot and in different locations around the city by hundreds of volunteers that we call « Carnavaliers » in French or « Carnivalers ».
The carnival starts on the Friday that precedes Shrove Tuesday. For five days, the city beats to the rhythm of the Carnival and its participants.