Corso Fleuri de Sélestat
The spectacular parade of dahlia-decorated floats, a tradition since 1929
About Corso Fleuri
The Corso Fleuri in Sélestat is one of France's oldest and most spectacular floral parades. Since 1929, every second weekend in August, twelve monumental floats adorned with nearly 500,000 multicolored dahlias have paraded through the city center, first in a daytime procession and later in a magical, illuminated night parade. It is a unique event that celebrates the horticultural heritage of Alsace.
A floral tradition born in 1929
The Corso Fleuri in Sélestat traces its roots back to 1927, when the Congress of Alsatian Gardeners organized a modest floral parade to promote the region's market gardening heritage. Building on the success of this first parade, Mayor Auguste Bronner made the Corso Fleuri an official event in 1929, choosing the dahlia—a flower native to Latin America that thrives in the Sélestat soil—as the undisputed star of the show.
500,000 dahlias for twelve monumental floats
The heart of the Corso Fleuri lies in its twelve monumental floats, true ephemeral works of art entirely covered in dahlias. Nearly 500,000 flowers in vibrant shades—red, yellow, orange, white, and pink—are required to decorate the entire fleet. Each float is designed and crafted by a local association, which spends months working on these spectacular creations based on a theme chosen each year.
Two processions
Saturday is the highlight of the Corso. At 6:00 PM, the daytime procession sets off through the city center, accompanied by musicians, dancers, and street performers. At 10:00 PM, the night parade lights up the streets in a fairy-tale display of color, with the floats taking on a magical quality under the lights. On Sunday, the floats are displayed at Place de la Victoire, and the program is rounded out by folk performances.
An event that unites an entire city
The Corso Fleuri is much more than just a parade: it is an event that mobilizes the entire Sélestat community. Dozens of associations, hundreds of volunteers, and generations of gardeners participate in growing the dahlias, building the floats, and organizing the festivities. This participatory spirit makes the Corso a living heritage, passed down from generation to generation for nearly a century.
Corso Fleuri — edition 2026
The Sélestat Corso Fleuri celebrates its 97th edition on August 8th and 9th, 2026, under the theme "A Journey Through Time." Twelve floats, sumptuously decorated with over 500,000 multicolored dahlias, will parade through the city center during a daytime procession and a spectacular illuminated night parade.
Corso Fleuri 2026 — 97th edition, "A Journey Through Time"
The 2026 Sélestat Corso Fleuri takes place on Saturday, August 8th, and Sunday, August 9th. For this 97th edition themed "A Journey Through Time," twelve floral floats adorned with more than 500,000 dahlias will parade through the streets of the humanist city, accompanied by musicians, dancers, and street performers.
Saturday, August 8th
Festivities begin at 4:00 PM in the city center. At 5:45 PM, a vintage car parade precedes the daytime procession at 6:00 PM. At 9:45 PM, another vintage car parade sets the stage for the illuminated night procession, which departs at 10:00 PM from the Tanzmatten.
Sunday, August 9th
The twelve floral floats will be on display at Place de la Victoire, with folk entertainment throughout the day, allowing visitors to admire the volunteers' craftsmanship up close.
Access and Grandstands
Access to the Corso Fleuri is free along the route. Grandstand seating is available: open-air stands at 20 € (both processions) or 12 € (one procession), and covered stands at 25 € (both processions) or 15 € (one procession). Reservations can be made through Sélestat Haut-Koenigsbourg Tourisme.
Programme Corso Fleuri 2026
Saturday, August 8th, 2026
- 4:00 PM — City center entertainment
- 5:45 PM — Vintage car parade
- 6:00 PM — Daytime procession (12 floral floats)
- 9:45 PM — Vintage car parade
- 10:00 PM — Illuminated night procession (departing from the Tanzmatten)
Sunday, August 9th, 2026
- Exhibition of the 12 floral floats at Place de la Victoire
- Folk entertainment
Highlights Corso Fleuri 2026
- 97th edition, theme "A Journey Through Time"
- 12 floats decorated with over 500,000 dahlias
- Daytime procession at 6:00 PM and illuminated night procession at 10:00 PM
- Free access along the route
Prices Corso Fleuri 2026
Practical information — Corso Fleuri
Dates and times
The Corso Fleuri takes place on the second weekend of August. Saturday: entertainment from 4:00 PM, daytime procession at 6:00 PM, night parade at 10:00 PM. Sunday: float exhibition and folk entertainment from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Place de la Victoire.
Access
By train
Sélestat station, served by TER trains from Strasbourg (30 min) and Colmar (15 min). The city center is a 10-minute walk from the station.
By car
Sélestat is accessible via the A35 (Sélestat Centre exit). Please note: traffic is disrupted on Saturday. Park-and-ride facilities are available with shuttles to the city center.
Tickets
Access to the Corso Fleuri is free for standing spectators. Grandstands: open-air grandstand at 20 € for both processions (12 € for one), covered grandstand at 25 € for both processions (15 € for one).
Practical tips
- Arrive early on Saturday to secure a good spot along the route.
- The night parade is the most spectacular—don't miss it!
- Bring a picnic to enjoy while waiting between the two processions.
- Sunday is quieter, making it ideal for taking close-up photos of the floats.
Dining
Food stalls and refreshment stands are located along the route. City center restaurants are also open.
Contact
Sélestat Haut-Koenigsbourg Tourist Office: selestat-haut-koenigsbourg.com
City of Sélestat: selestat.fr
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Where does it take place — Corso Fleuri
Centre-ville de Sélestat
Centre-ville, 67600 Sélestat