Herblay Carnival

Herblay-sur-Seine celebrates carnival in spring

Herblay-sur-Seine, a dynamic town in the Val-d'Oise developed on the slopes of the hills overlooking the Seine, between Pontoise and Argenteuil, enthusiastically celebrates its Carnival every spring. The town, home to over thirty thousand inhabitants and a very active associative fabric, mobilizes its associations, neighborhood committees, and residents to offer a colorful and emotionally rich carnival celebration.

A parade of floats and brass bands

The Herblay Carnival is structured around a grand street parade that crosses the town's neighborhoods to the applause of spectators. Decorated and illuminated floats prepared with care by associations and groups of friends parade with their spectacular creations. Brass bands and fife and drum corps provide the essential musical dimension to any good carnival celebration. Dance groups in shimmering costumes—samba outfits, medieval costumes, superhero costumes, or fairy tale characters—bring movement and joy. The carnival giant, a papier-mâché and cardboard figure representing a comical or satirical character, is burned at the end of the day in the European popular tradition of Mardi Gras.

Participation of schools and families

One of the most endearing aspects of the Herblay Carnival is the participation of the town's primary schools. Teachers prepare thematic costumes with their classes, giving the parade its most moving dimension: seeing entire classes of children dressed as pirates, animals, ancient figures, or comic book heroes parade is a spectacle that brings smiles and tears to the parents and grandparents gathered on the sidewalks. Mask-making and costume preparation workshops are organized in leisure centers in the weeks preceding the carnival to allow every child to participate under the best conditions.

Friendliness as the primary value

The Herblay Carnival is above all a popular and accessible celebration that brings together residents of all ages, backgrounds, and origins. The combination of fancy dress, festive music, and contagious smiles creates an atmosphere of collective euphoria that transcends usual divides and brings people closer. The tradition of carnival—dating back to the Middle Ages and its festivals of social inversion—continues to fulfill its fundamental function: allowing a community to come together, laugh together, and celebrate the imminent arrival of spring together.

Practical Information

By car: Herblay-sur-Seine is accessible via the A15 (exit Conflans-Sainte-Honorine) or the N184. Parking available near the town center.

By public transport: Herblay station on Transilien line J from Paris-Saint-Lazare. Buses from Pontoise and Argenteuil.

Free admission for the entire parade and all activities.