Corso Fleuri de Sélestat
The spectacular parade of dahlia-decorated floats, a tradition since 1929
About Corso Fleuri
The Corso Fleuri de Sélestat is one of the oldest and most spectacular floral parades in France. Since 1929, on the second weekend of August, twelve monumental floats adorned with nearly 500,000 colorful dahlias parade through the streets of the city center, first as a daytime procession and then as a magical illuminated nighttime parade. Over 25,000 spectators attend the parade, followed by a grand fireworks display at the boating lake. A unique event celebrating Alsatian horticultural heritage.
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A Floral Tradition Born in 1929
The Corso Fleuri de Sélestat has its roots in 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 officially established the Corso Fleuri in 1929, making the dahlia—a flower originating from Latin America particularly well-suited to the Sélestat soil—the undisputed star of the event.
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 colorful flowers—red, yellow, orange, white, pink—are needed to decorate all the floats. Each float is designed and decorated by a local association, which works for months to create these spectacular creations around a theme chosen each year.
Two Parades and a Fireworks Display
Saturday is the highlight of the Corso. At 6 PM, the daytime procession begins through the streets of the city center, accompanied by musicians, dancers, and street performers. At 10 PM, the nighttime procession illuminates the streets in a magical display of lights and colors, with the floats taking on a magical dimension under the illuminations. The evening concludes with a grand fireworks display at the boating lake at midnight. On Sunday, the floats are exhibited on the Place de la Victoire, and folk entertainment completes the program.
An Event That Unites an Entire City
The Corso Fleuri is more than just a parade: it's an event that mobilizes the entire Sélestat community. Dozens of associations, hundreds of volunteers, and generations of gardeners participate in growing dahlias, building the floats, and organizing the festival. This participatory aspect makes the Corso a living heritage, passed down from generation to generation for nearly a century.
Corso Fleuri — edition 2026
The Corso Fleuri de Sélestat returns on August 8th and 9th, 2026, with its 12 dahlia-decorated floats (500,000 dahlias), daytime and nighttime parades, fireworks, and folk entertainment.
Corso Fleuri 2026 - August 8th and 9th
The Corso Fleuri de Sélestat 2026 will take place on August 8th and 9th. Saturday: entertainment from 4 PM, daytime procession at 6 PM, illuminated nighttime procession at 10 PM, and fireworks at midnight. Sunday: exhibition of the 12 floats and folk entertainment on the Place de la Victoire.
Programme Corso Fleuri 2026
Program
- Saturday, August 8th, 4 PM: entertainment in the city center
- 6 PM: daytime procession
- 10 PM: illuminated nighttime procession
- Midnight: fireworks at the boating lake
- Sunday, August 9th: float exhibition and entertainment
Highlights Corso Fleuri 2026
- 12 floats adorned with 500,000 dahlias
- Double procession: day and night
- Fireworks at the boating lake
- Folk entertainment on Sunday
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 PM, daytime procession at 6 PM, nighttime procession at 10 PM, fireworks at midnight. Sunday: float exhibition and folk entertainment from 10 AM to 6 PM on the Place de la Victoire.
Access
By Train
Sélestat station, served by TER 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 Saturdays. Park-and-ride facilities are available with shuttle buses to the city center.
Prices
Access to the Corso Fleuri is free for standing spectators. Grandstands: uncovered 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 find a good spot along the route.
- The nighttime procession is the most spectacular—don't miss it!
- Bring a picnic to wait between the two processions.
- Sunday is quieter, ideal for photographing the floats up close.
Food and Drink
Food and drink stands along the route. Restaurants in the city center are open.
Contact
Sélestat Haut-Koenigsbourg Tourist Office: selestat-haut-koenigsbourg.com
City of Sélestat: selestat.fr
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Corso Fleuri
Centre-ville de Sélestat
Centre-ville, 67600 Sélestat