Granville Carnival

The Granville Carnival: A Centuries-Old Tradition Linked to the Sea

The history of the Granville Carnival is intimately linked to the city's maritime history. At a time when cod fishing was the port's main activity, the departure of the Terre-Neuvas for Newfoundland took place around Shrove Tuesday. The carnival was their last celebration on land before setting sail for several months of fishing campaigns in the icy waters of the North Atlantic.

A History Dating Back to 1875

The first official edition of the carnival, with a structured organizing committee, took place on February 7, 1875. It was part of a charity program aimed at raising donations for the less fortunate. The parade included music, costumed groups, and 8 floats pulled by horses, including the "charity float".

A Carnival That Transcends Eras

In 1902, neighborhood committees were created to structure the parade. In 1903, the organizing committee decided that the parade would take place on Sunday. After a forced break during World War I (1915-1919), the tradition was revived in 1920. The Granville Carnival has survived wars, crises, and societal changes, retaining its satirical, popular, and festive character.

Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Since November 30, 2016, the Granville Carnival has been listed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. It is the only French carnival to receive this international recognition, which celebrates the vitality of a popular tradition passed down through generations.

Five Days of Festivities

The carnival takes place every year for five days around Shrove Tuesday. The program includes:

• Children's Day: a special parade for the youngest with miniature floats
• Parades: the main parades on Sunday and Shrove Tuesday, with about forty satirical and humorous floats
• Intrigues: a unique tradition in Granville where masked participants accost passers-by
• Carnival Judgment: the closing ceremony where the Carnival mannequin is judged and burned
• Balls, concerts, and brass bands: musical entertainment throughout the festivities

A Popular and Unifying Event

Each year, around 2,000 carnival-goers volunteer to build about forty colorful and satirical floats over several months, finding an inexhaustible source of subjects to mock in local, national, or international news. The carnival attracts around 130,000 spectators, making Granville the largest carnival in Western France.