Mont-de-Marsan Carnival
The festive carnival of the prefecture of Landes
About Mont-de-Marsan Carnival
The Mont-de-Marsan Carnival is a major festive event in the prefecture of Landes, organized each year in February-March by the City of Mont-de-Marsan. This day of festivities brings together young and old around a colorful parade through the streets of the city center, the traditional cremation of San Pansar, regional fairs, creative workshops, and carousels. Free and family-friendly, the Montois carnival celebrates a different theme each year and stands out as an unmissable popular event of the Landes winter.
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The Mont-de-Marsan Carnival: the festive winter event of the Landes prefecture
Each year at the end of winter, Mont-de-Marsan, prefecture of Landes, celebrates its carnival in a festive and popular atmosphere. Organized by the municipality, this day of festivities transforms the city center into a vast space of revelry, bringing together thousands of costumed participants and spectators of all ages.
The parade: the carnival procession
The highlight of the Montois carnival is the parade, a colorful procession that starts from Place Charles-de-Gaulle and winds through the streets of the city center. Costumed groups, decorated floats, bands, and percussionists liven up this joyful and noisy parade. Each year, a theme is proposed to inspire costumes, although participation is free and open to all.
The cremation of San Pansar
An unmissable tradition of the Gascon carnival, the cremation of San Pansar is the culmination of the day. This straw figure, a symbolic scapegoat blamed for all the misfortunes of the past year, is burned in a public square in a festive ritual that marks the end of the carnival and the hope for renewal. In Mont-de-Marsan, this ceremony takes place at 4 PM sharp and is a moment of popular gathering.
Activities and workshops
The Mont-de-Marsan carnival offers a program of activities throughout the day:
- Landes Regional Fair: located on the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, it offers games, workshops, and collective creation of a giant fresco
- Face painting workshops: for children and teenagers before the parade, to perfect their costumes
- Dancing activities: Just Dance and other musical activities to warm up the atmosphere before the parade
- Carousels: located on Place Pancaut for the greatest joy of families
A theme renewed each year
Each edition of the Mont-de-Marsan carnival revolves around an original theme chosen by the municipality. In 2026, the theme “Journey through time” invites participants to dress up as historical or futuristic characters, stimulating everyone's creativity. This thematic thread gives coherence and a unique identity to each edition.
Mont-de-Marsan, city of festivals
With its famous Feria de la Madeleine in July, its festivals, and now its revitalized carnival, Mont-de-Marsan confirms its commitment to celebration and Gascon traditions. The carnival is part of this festive dynamic that makes the prefecture of Landes proud.
Practical information — Mont-de-Marsan Carnival
Practical information — Mont-de-Marsan Carnival
Access
By car: Mont-de-Marsan is accessible via the A65 motorway (from Bordeaux to the north or Pau to the south) and the N134. Free parking on the outskirts of the city center, particularly at the Douze and Midou parking lots. The city center is partially pedestrianized on the day of the carnival with a special traffic plan.
By train: Mont-de-Marsan SNCF station, served by TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine from Bordeaux and neighboring towns. The city center and Place Charles-de-Gaulle are a 10-minute walk from the station.
By bus: The Coralis bus network serves the city center from the towns in the Montois agglomeration.
Locations
Activities take place in several locations in the city center: Place Charles-de-Gaulle (starting point of the parade), Place de l'Hôtel de Ville (Landes regional fair with games, workshops, and giant fresco creation), Place Pancaut (carousels and fairground attractions). The parade route follows the streets and boulevards of the historic center of Mont-de-Marsan.
Typical program
- 11 AM-6 PM: Landes regional fair on the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville with games, participatory workshops, and creation of a giant collective fresco
- 2:45 PM: departure of the parade from Place Charles-de-Gaulle, procession through the city streets
- 4 PM: cremation of San Pansar, Gascon carnival ritual marking the end of the carnival
- 4 PM-6 PM: face painting workshops and Just Dance activities
- Saturday and Sunday: carousels and fairground attractions on Place Pancaut
Prices
Completely free admission for all activities, the parade, and the regional fair. Carousels on Place Pancaut are subject to a fee depending on the attractions.
Food and drink
Bars and restaurants in the center of Mont-de-Marsan are open during the carnival. Refreshment stands and food stalls are set up near the regional fair. The Mont-de-Marsan market halls offer fresh produce and local specialties.
Contact
Ville de Mont-de-Marsan
Place du Général Leclerc, 40000 Mont-de-Marsan
Tel: 05 58 05 87 37
Website: www.montdemarsan.fr
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Mont-de-Marsan Carnival
Centre-ville de Mont-de-Marsan
Place Charles-de-Gaulle, 40000 Mont-de-Marsan