Venetian Carnival of Remiremont

The oldest Venetian carnival in France

The Venetian Carnival of Remiremont was born in 1996 from the passion of one man, Yves Chrétien, a lover of masks since childhood and a regular visitor to the Venice Carnival since the late 1980s. After participating several times in the Venetian carnival as a spectator and then as a costumed participant, he decided to bring this magic to his hometown of Remiremont, in the heart of the Vosges. The first edition brought together about thirty costumed participants. From 1997, the number doubled to sixty participants. Today, over four hundred costumed participants from France and Europe converge each year on this small town of 7,500 inhabitants, making this carnival the one where you can see the most Venetian costumed participants outside of Venice itself.

The abbey district, a setting for Venetian magic

Remiremont has an incomparable asset: its abbey district, a legacy of eleven centuries of monastic life around the Notre-Dame Abbey. The 17th and 18th-century houses of the canonesses, the Rue Charles de Gaulle with its famous arcades, the Place de Mesdames, and the abbey gardens form an architectural backdrop that lends itself wonderfully to the Venetian universe. For four days, these historic sites are transformed into an open-air theater where sumptuous figures stroll in an enchanting silence.

The costumed participants and the rule of silence

The major peculiarity of the Remiremont Venetian Carnival lies in the demands placed on the costumes. Each outfit is a work of art in itself, the result of months of meticulous work. Luxurious dresses, brocades, lace, feathers, hand-painted artisanal masks: the costumed participants compete in elegance and creativity, drawing inspiration from the Renaissance and Baroque aesthetics of the Venice Carnival. In accordance with Venetian tradition, the costumed participants do not speak: silence is golden in Remiremont, enhancing the mystery and grace of each appearance.

The Casanovas, guardians of the carnival

Emblematic figures of the Remiremont carnival, the Casanovas are recognizable by their all-black costume and white mask. True guardians of the carnival, they accompany and protect the costumed participants during strolls and parades. They ensure the smooth running of the parades, guide the costumed participants through the narrow streets, and act as liaisons between the public and these majestic figures who glide silently under the town's arcades.

Four days of Venetian magic

The carnival unfolds over four days, from Thursday to Sunday. Thursday evening marks the opening in an intimate and romantic atmosphere. On Friday, the costumed participants stroll freely through the streets, while in the evening, a lantern parade creates a magical spectacle in front of the abbey church. Saturday is marked by photo sessions, concerts, and a grand sound and light parade on the stages of the abbey district. Sunday afternoon is the highlight with the legendary parade down the Rue des Arcades, where the costumed participants take over Rue Charles de Gaulle before joining the stages for a final masterful presentation. A Venetian market completes the festivities from Friday to Sunday.

A free and popular event

True to the spirit of its founder, the Remiremont Venetian Carnival is entirely free. This accessibility makes it a family-friendly and popular event that attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the Vosges each year. Amateur and professional photographers flock to capture the beauty of the costumes against the historic backdrop of the town, making this carnival one of the most photogenic events in Eastern France.