Carnaval de Clamart

The Carnaval de Clamart: colors and conviviality in the heart of Hauts-de-Seine

Clamart is a town of 55,000 inhabitants in the Hauts-de-Seine department, known for its green living environment — the Meudon-Clamart national forest borders the town — and for the quality of its cultural life. Every winter, the town comes alive with the traditional Carnaval de Clamart, one of the most popular festive events in the town, bringing together young and old around carnival traditions.

The costume parade: the highlight of the festival

The heart of the Carnaval de Clamart is its grand costume parade. The procession sets off from Place François Mitterrand, in the heart of the Old Clamart district, at 3:30 PM, with participants in all sorts of costumes and face paint: fairy tale characters, superheroes, fantastic animals, matching family costumes. The parade winds through the streets of the cultural district, to the applause and confetti throws of the spectators.

From 4:30 PM, the parade turns into a show on the stage of the cultural center, with entertainment for children and their families. Street performers, jugglers, and musicians take over to extend the celebration in a good mood.

A carnival rooted in popular traditions

Like all carnival celebrations, the Carnaval de Clamart celebrates the annual return of spring and the symbolic victory of life over the harshness of winter. The tradition of costumes, masks, and confetti is alive and well here. Costume-making workshops may be offered by local associations before the event, allowing families to prepare their outfits together.

The carnival is also an excuse for festive culinary preparations: bugnes, Mardi Gras fritters, and other sweet treats can be found on tables and at stands run by neighborhood associations. These shared moments around food strengthen the sense of community and conviviality that is at the heart of the event.

Clamart's cultural program

The Carnaval de Clamart is part of a rich annual cultural program. The town has an active network of cultural facilities, including the Centre Culturel Coluche, which schedules theater, music, and dance performances throughout the year. Music festivals, such as Jazz à Clamart, also contribute to the town's cultural reputation. The carnival complements this offering by providing a completely accessible, open-air celebration with no entrance fee.

A family and intergenerational event

The unique feature of the Carnaval de Clamart is its resolutely family-friendly nature. Children are at the heart of the celebration, with entertainment specifically designed for them at every stage. But adults are not forgotten: the festive atmosphere, neighborly encounters, reunions among parents, and street artist performances create a warm atmosphere suitable for all ages. The festival is an opportunity to wear your finest costumes and indulge in carnival fantasy for an afternoon.