Carnaval Vénitien de Verdun
Verdun, the little Lorraine Venice, celebrates Venetian carnival
About Carnaval Vénitien
Verdun, the little Lorraine Venice
With its five canals and twenty bridges, Verdun has an aquatic physiognomy that earns it the nickname "Little Venice". It is this geographical peculiarity that inspired the creation of the Carnaval Vénitien de Verdun in 2006, which has since become one of the most anticipated festive events in the Meuse city.
A colorful spectacle
Every year in June, over 200 participants don sumptuous Venetian costumes and ornate masks to take over the streets of Verdun's city center. The spectacle is grandiose: shimmering silks, majestic feathers, gilding, and embroidery create a living tableau worthy of the Serenissima.
The grand parade
The highlight of the weekend is the grand costume parade which starts at the Monument à la Victoire at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The procession then winds through the main streets of Verdun: rue Mazel, quai de Londres, place de la Nation, offering the public a magical and photogenic parade.
Shows and entertainment
Commedia dell'arte and circus troupes liven up the squares and quays with live shows. Solar boat trips on the Meuse aboard the Lor'N Boat (6 euros adults, 4 euros children 3-12 years old) and free carriage rides complete the entertainment offerings.
The Venetian market
A Venetian market brings together artisans, creators, and producers of Italian specialties: masks, jewelry, confectionery, cold cuts, and Transalpine cheeses. It's an opportunity to bring back an authentic souvenir from this festive day.
Free face painting for children
A free face painting stand allows children to transform into little Venetians for the duration of the event. Games and contests organized by Verdun shopkeepers also liven up the weekend.
A unifying event
The Carnaval Vénitien attracts thousands of spectators each year and contributes to Verdun's commercial and tourist dynamism. The event is accessible to people with reduced mobility in the main areas of the route.
Carnaval Vénitien — edition 2026
20th edition of the Verdun Venetian Carnival, on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026 in the city center. Nearly 150 costumed participants will parade through the streets of the "Little Lorraine Venice" starting at 2 PM, with parades on the Meuse aboard the Lor'N Boat, shows by the Italian group Sbandieratori ASTA, a Venetian market, and new features for 2026 (gondola photo point, children's carousel).
20th Anniversary Edition of the Venetian Carnival
The Verdun Venetian Carnival celebrates its 20th anniversary on June 13 and 14, 2026. To mark the occasion, the Grand Verdun Tourist Office and its partners have put together an enriched program, blending proven Venetian traditions with several new features.
A gondola installed on Quai de Londres
Among the new features for 2026: a Venetian gondola is temporarily installed in front of the fountain on Quai de Londres to serve as a photo backdrop for festival-goers. A true piece of Venice on the banks of the Meuse.
The Sbandieratori ASTA show
The Italian group Sbandieratori ASTA, composed of 22 musicians and flag throwers, enlivens the weekend with its spectacular demonstrations of medieval flag manipulation, on Quai de Londres, Place de la Nation, and in the Town Hall courtyard.
Activities for children
For the youngest, the program is expanding: free face painting stand at the Tourist Office, carousel and duck fishing in the Japiot park parking lot, and a new fun game booklet to discover between Avenue de la Victoire and Place de la Nation.
The Venetian Village and the market
On Avenue de la Victoire and in Japiot park, the Venetian Village welcomes artisans, producers, and creators offering Italian specialties: Venetian masks, jewelry, confectionery, cold cuts, and transalpine cheeses. Open Saturday from 2 PM to 8 PM and Sunday from 2 PM to 6 PM.
Programme Carnaval Vénitien 2026
Saturday, June 13, 2026
- 2:00 PM — Opening Ceremony at the Monument à la Victoire · Speeches by the Mayor and the President of the Tourist Office, traditional descent of the steps by the costumed participants
- 2:30 PM — Costumed parade · Rue Mazel → Rue Beaurepaire → Quai de Londres
- 3:30 PM — Free wandering and photo break in the city center
- 3:30 PM — Sbandieratori ASTA Show · Quai de Londres
- 4:00 PM — Parade on the Meuse aboard the Lor'N Boat · Boarding Quai de Londres
- 4:30 PM — Sbandieratori ASTA Show · Place de la Nation
- 5:00 PM — Parade on the Meuse aboard the Lor'N Boat · Quai de Londres
- 5:30 PM — Sbandieratori ASTA Show · Town Hall Courtyard
Sunday, June 14, 2026
- 2:00 PM — Traditional descent of the steps of the Monument à la Victoire by the costumed participants
- 2:30 PM — Costumed parade in the city center
- 3:30 PM — Photo break and free wandering · Sbandieratori ASTA Show on Quai de Londres
- 4:00 PM — Parade on the Meuse · Lor'N Boat
- 4:30 PM — Sbandieratori ASTA Show · Place de la Nation
- 5:00 PM — Parade on the Meuse · Lor'N Boat
- 5:30 PM — Sbandieratori ASTA Show · Town Hall Courtyard
Activities all weekend
- Venetian Village · Avenue de la Victoire and Japiot park · Saturday 2 PM-8 PM, Sunday 2 PM-6 PM
- Gondola Photo Point (new) · Quai de Londres, in front of the fountain
- Lor'N Boat solar boat ride · Quai de Londres pontoon · Slots 2 PM-3:50 PM, 4:30 PM-4:50 PM, 5:30 PM-5:50 PM · Duration 20 min · €6.50 adult / €4.50 child (+12 years)
- Free carriage ride · Tour Chaussée → Tourist Office → Japiot Park · Saturday and Sunday 2 PM-5 PM · 3 tourist stops
- Free face painting stand for children · Tourist Office · Saturday and Sunday 2 PM-6 PM
- Carousel and duck fishing (new) · Japiot park parking lot · Saturday 2 PM-8 PM, Sunday 2 PM-6 PM
- Children's game booklet (new) · Avenue de la Victoire and Place de la Nation
- Shopkeepers' competition · Organized by the association LoVerdun Vitrines
Highlights Carnaval Vénitien 2026
- 20th Anniversary Edition of the Venetian Carnival
- Nearly 150 costumed participants parading in the city center
- Sbandieratori ASTA shows: 22 Italian musicians and flag throwers
- Parades on the Meuse aboard the Lor'N Boat
- New: gondola installed on Quai de Londres as a photo backdrop
- New children's activities: carousel, duck fishing, and fun game booklet
- Venetian Village with artisan market and Italian specialties
Prices Carnaval Vénitien 2026
Practical information — Carnaval Vénitien
Access
Verdun is located in the north of the Meuse department, 1.5 hours from Metz, 1.5 hours from Nancy, and 3 hours from Paris.
- By car: A4 motorway, Verdun exit. Free parking on the outskirts of the city center.
- By train: Verdun station (TER Grand Est). The city center is within walking distance of the station.
Locations
The carnival takes place in the city center of Verdun: Monument à la Victoire, rue Mazel, quai de Londres, place de la Nation, parc Japiot.
Prices
Free access to the parade and entertainment. Boat trips: 6 euros (adults), 4 euros (children 3-12 years old). Carriage rides: free.
Costumed participation
Costumed participants must register with the Office de Tourisme du Grand Verdun and wear a traditional Venetian costume.
Contact
Office de Tourisme du Grand Verdun
Phone: 03 29 86 14 18
Email: [email protected]
Website: tourisme-verdun.com
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Where does it take place — Carnaval Vénitien
Centre-ville de Verdun
Place de la Nation, 55100 Verdun, 55100 Verdun