Les Mascarades de Clisson
The Venetian carnival in the heart of the Nantes vineyard
2026
About Mascarades de Clisson
Mascarades de Clisson — edition 2026
Les Mascarades de Clisson 2026: The Venetian Carnival on May 30th and 31st
On May 30th and 31st, 2026, masks and baroque elegance will once again invade the streets of Clisson, known as the "Little Italy" of the Nantes vineyards. For this new edition of the Mascarades, 130 costumed characters from all four corners of France will transform the cobbled alleys, squares, and gardens of the city into an ephemeral open-air theater, inspired by the splendor of Venice.
The event kicks off on Saturday, May 30th at 3:00 PM under the Halles with the traditional handing over of the city keys, accompanied by the music of the Auld Alliance Pipe Band, and continues until the grand illuminated parade of costumed performers at 10:00 PM, from Ternélia to the Saint-Antoine district. On Sunday, May 31st, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the day will feature juggling, stilt walkers, street opera, and concerts before the grand Venetian costumed parade at 3:00 PM, the final presentation under the Halles at 4:00 PM, and the return of the city keys at 5:00 PM.
Five entertainment hubs in the historic center
Activities are spread across five locations marked on the official map: Place Jacques Demy (near the library), the Halles stage and Place de la Trinité, Rue des Halles and the city center, the Venelle de l'Escarpe, and Square Mathurin-Crucy. Throughout the event, the Galerie du Minage hosts the "Carnavale di Venezia" exhibition of costumes and masks, Place du Minage features an artisanal market, and a Venetian gondola will navigate the Sèvre river at the foot of the Château.
All activities, concerts, shows, and exhibitions are entirely free and open to everyone.
Highlights Mascarades de Clisson 2026
- Saturday, May 30th at 3:00 PM — Handing over of the city keys under the Halles, musical opening with the Auld Alliance Pipe Band
- Saturday, May 30th at 10:00 PM — Grand illuminated parade of Venetian costumed performers, from Ternélia to the Saint-Antoine district
- Saturday, May 30th from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM — Bal Lurette, world musette and dance music, Place Jacques Demy
- Sunday, May 31st at 3:00 PM — Grand Venetian costumed parade to the Halles
- Sunday, May 31st at 4:00 PM — Final presentation of the 130 costumed performers under the Halles
- Street opera "Maria Caillasse" and juggling by Cie Le Cirque Graphique on Sunday
- "Carnavale di Venezia" exhibition by Serge-Jean Robin-Ferre at the Galerie du Minage, both days
- Venetian gondola on the Sèvre, artisanal market, and exhibition of prestigious Italian cars
- All activities are free and open to the public
Programme Mascarades de Clisson 2026
Saturday, May 30th, 2026
Ongoing from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- "Carnavale di Venezia" exhibition of flamboyant costumes, created by Serge-Jean Robin-Ferre — Venetian masks, costumes, and photos · Galerie du Minage, Place du Minage
- Venetian gondola cruising on the Sèvre (reserved for costumed participants) · at the foot of the Château
- Artisanal market · Place du Minage
- Venetian costumed parade · city center
- 3:00 PM — Handing over of the city keys, opening of the event, with musical opening by the Auld Alliance Pipe Band · Under the Halles
- 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM — Concert by the Auld Alliance Pipe Band, Scottish bagpipes and drums · Square Mathurin-Crucy
- 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM — Concert by the Nomadelles duo, violin and cello · Place Jacques Demy
- 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM — Living statue · Maison Joinville / Rue des Halles
- 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM — Concert by the Nomadelles duo, violin and cello · Square Mathurin-Crucy
- 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM — Concert by the Auld Alliance Pipe Band · Place Jacques Demy
- 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM — Living statue · Square Mathurin-Crucy
- 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM — Concert by the Auld Alliance Pipe Band · Under the Halles
- 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM — Living statue · Venelle de l'Escarpe
- 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM — Concert by Bal Lurette, world musette and dance music · Place Jacques Demy
- 10:00 PM — Grand illuminated parade of Venetian costumed performers, starting with music from the Auld Alliance Pipe Band from Ternélia to the Saint-Antoine district
Sunday, May 31st, 2026
Ongoing from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- "Carnavale di Venezia" exhibition of flamboyant costumes, created by Serge-Jean Robin-Ferre · Galerie du Minage, Place du Minage
- Venetian gondola cruising on the Sèvre (reserved for costumed participants, ends at 3:00 PM) · at the foot of the Château
- Artisanal market · Place du Minage
- Venetian costumed parade · city center
- Exhibition of prestigious Italian cars · Rue des Halles
- 11:00 AM — Concert by the Auld Alliance Pipe Band · Square Mathurin-Crucy / Château
- 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM — Cie Le Cirque Graphique, juggling and manipulation show · Under the Halles
- 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM — Costumed stilt walkers roaming · city center
- 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM — Concert by the Auld Alliance Pipe Band · Place Jacques Demy
- 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM — Concert by Duo Pa, swing, musette, and Italian music · Place Jacques Demy
- 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM — Performance by Cie Le Cirque Graphique · Square Mathurin-Crucy
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM — Concert by the Nomadelles string quartet · Under the Halles
- 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM — Concert by Duo Pa · Rue des Halles / Maison Joinville
- 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM — Performance by Cie Le Cirque Graphique · Place Jacques Demy
- 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM — Costumed stilt walkers roaming · city center
- 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM — Street opera "Maria Caillasse", a quirky and participatory lyrical show with its portable philharmonic orchestra and musical-saw player Roberto Alamasse · Square Mathurin-Crucy
- 3:00 PM — Grand Venetian costumed parade, starting with music from the Auld Alliance Pipe Band from Ternélia to the Halles
- 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM — Street opera "Maria Caillasse" · Place Jacques Demy
- 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM — Costumed stilt walkers roaming · city center
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM — Final presentation of the Venetian costumed performers · Under the Halles
- 5:00 PM — Return of the city keys and closing speech of the event · Under the Halles
Prices Mascarades de Clisson 2026
Venetian gondola rides on the Sèvre are reserved for costumed participants.
Mascarades de Clisson — 2027 edition
The 2026 edition was held from 30 May to 31 May 2026. The dates for the 2027 edition have not been announced yet. This page will be updated as soon as the official programme is published.
Practical information — Mascarades de Clisson
Practical Information
Schedule
The festival takes place over two days: Saturday from 3:00 PM to 10:30 PM, with the official opening at 3:00 PM under Les Halles and the grand illuminated parade at 10:00 PM; and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the grand costumed parade at 3:00 PM and the closing ceremony at 5:00 PM under Les Halles.
Getting there
Les Mascarades de Clisson take place in the historic town center of Clisson, in Loire-Atlantique, 30 km southeast of Nantes.
- By train and tram-train: Clisson SNCF station is served from Nantes by TER and tram-train (approx. 20 minutes). It is located a few minutes' walk from the town center. The tourist office recommends using the tram-train or TER to avoid parking difficulties.
- By car: From Nantes, take the D149 or the A83 (exit 4) towards Clisson, about 30 minutes. The official event map indicates several parking lots located on the immediate outskirts of the historic center.
Festival locations
Activities are spread across five hubs in the historic center, identified on the official map:
- Place Jacques Demy, near the media library — concerts and processions
- Scène des Halles and Place de la Trinité — opening, concerts, final presentation of costumed performers
- Rue des Halles and town center — processions, living statues, exhibition of prestigious Italian cars
- Venelle de l'Escarpe
- Square Mathurin-Crucy — concerts and street opera
Additionally, the Galerie du Minage on Place du Minage hosts the Venetian costume and mask exhibition and the craft market, while the foot of the Château serves as the boarding point for the Venetian gondola on the Sèvre.
Admission
All activities are completely free and open to the public: parades, Venetian processions, street performances, concerts, exhibitions, and the craft market. Gondola rides are reserved for costumed participants.
Contact
Mairie de Clisson: 3 Grande rue de la Trinité, 44190 Clisson
Phone: 02 40 80 17 80
Email: [email protected]
Official website: mairie-clisson.fr
Les Mascarades de Clisson: Venetian enchantment in Loire-Atlantique
Every spring, the town of Clisson—an Italian-style jewel nestled in the heart of the Nantes vineyards in Loire-Atlantique—hosts Les Mascarades de Clisson, a one-of-a-kind Venetian carnival and street arts festival. With its Tuscan-inspired architecture, cobblestone alleys, stone bridges, and romantic gardens, Clisson provides the perfect natural backdrop for this immersive journey into the opulent world of Venice.
130 Venetian costumed performers in an open-air theater
For one weekend in May, 130 costumed characters from all over France take over Clisson's historic town center, transforming squares, narrow lanes, and gardens into a living fresco inspired by the splendor of the Serenissima. Dressed in silks, lace, and intricate masks, these Venetian performers offer poetic tableaux, improvised sketches, and enchanting processions punctuated by music and theatrical staging. The entire town becomes an ephemeral open-air theater where every street corner holds a surprise.
A rich and completely free program
Entirely free and open to all, the festival features over twenty concerts and activities blending street arts, music, heritage, and gastronomy. Venetian processions wind through Clisson's iconic landmarks—Place de la Trinité, Les Halles, Square Mathurin-Crucy, Place Jacques Demy, and the Venelle de l'Escarpe. Concerts and live performances bring the festival's various stages to life. The Galerie du Minage, on Place du Minage, hosts an exhibition of Venetian costumes and masks, while the same square brings together artisans at the craft market. Costumed participants can even board a Venetian gondola for a ride on the Sèvre nantaise, right at the foot of the Château. On Saturday evening, a grand illuminated parade of costumed performers travels through the town to the Saint-Antoine district; on Sunday afternoon, a second parade heads to Les Halles before the final presentation of the performers.
An event driven by a passion for Venetian costumes
Les Mascarades de Clisson is organized by the City of Clisson in partnership with two enthusiast associations: Les Axantiennes and Les Costumés Vénitiens de France. This event is part of a tradition of Venetian costume gatherings that bring the spirit of the Venice Carnival to life across France. Inspired by Commedia dell'arte and popular Venetian folklore, the festival celebrates the art of costume, masks, and performance in an exceptional heritage setting. With 40,000 visitors recorded in 2025, Les Mascarades confirm Clisson's status as a cultural and festive destination in the Nantes vineyards. Mask and costume-making workshops are offered earlier in the spring for those who wish to join the parade themselves.
Where does it take place — Mascarades de Clisson
Mascarades de Clisson in brief
Other festivals near Clisson
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