Carnaval de Limoux

The longest carnival in the world

The Carnaval de Limoux is a unique event: it lasts more than two months, from January to March, making it the longest carnival in the world. Every Saturday and Sunday, as well as Mardi Gras, the streets of Limoux come alive to the rhythm of masked parades. The Fecos (masked figures in traditional costume) and the Goudils (grimacing and mischievous characters) parade under the medieval arcades of the Place de la République, from café to café, singing, dancing, and throwing confetti at the spectators.

A tradition dating back to 1604

The history of the Limoux carnival dates back to 1604. According to tradition, the town's millers roamed the streets throwing sweets and flour to celebrate the payment of their dues to the monastery on Mardi Gras. Over the centuries, this popular tradition has been structured around the bandes, groups of carnival-goers each representing a neighborhood or a trade in the town. Each bande has its own costume, its colors, and its songs, perpetuating a living intangible heritage passed down from generation to generation.

The bandes and the carnival ritual

The carnival is organized around the bandes, the most famous of which are the Meuniers, the Arcadiens, the Blanquetiers, and the Fecos de la Place. Every weekend, one or more bandes 'come out' to parade through the streets and under the arcades of the Place de la République. The ritual is unchanging: the Fecos, dressed in their colorful costumes and wearing the traditional carouje (pointed headdress), dance the Carnival dance to the sound of the traditional music played by an orchestra. The Goudils, on the other hand, dress up in a more whimsical way and do not hesitate to engage with the public humorously.

La Nuit de la Blanquette and the Carnival Judgment

The carnival culminates in two key moments: La Nuit de la Blanquette, a grand festive evening where the famous Blanquette de Limoux, the oldest sparkling wine in the world, is tasted, and the Carnival Judgment, the final ceremony during which the effigy of His Majesty Carnaval is judged and burned in the Place de la République, symbolically marking the end of the festivities. The Carnaval du Monde brings all the bandes together for a spectacular grand finale that attracts thousands of visitors.