Riespach Carnival

The Riespach Carnival: the carnival tradition of Sundgau

In the Sundgau, this hilly region in the far south of Alsace, the village of Riespach has been perpetuating a joyful and unifying carnival tradition since 1966. It all began when Camille Rederstorff and the clique Saint-Michel had the idea of organizing a masked ball at the village restaurant one Saturday evening, followed by a parade on Sunday: the success was immediate. Since then, AS Riespach (Association Sportive de Riespach) has taken up the torch and made the Riespach Carnival one of the most anticipated events of the carnival season in the Haut-Rhin.

Masked Balls: Five Saturdays of Celebration

The carnival begins with a series of five masked balls, held every Saturday evening from late February to mid-March in the Riespach village hall. Doors open at 8 PM and the music starts at 9 PM, hosted by renowned orchestras from the Alsatian carnival scene like L'Évolutive and Challenger. Costume contests punctuate each evening, rewarding the most original and elaborate costumes. The atmosphere is electric, dancers twirl, and masks compete in creativity.

The Grand Parade: The Highlight of the Carnival

The most anticipated moment of the Riespach Carnival is the grand parade, which takes place on a Sunday in early March. The procession starts at 1:59 PM through the village streets, gathering about thirty decorated floats and Guggenmusik, those emblematic carnival brass bands of the Alemannic tradition. Confetti flies, candy rains down, and music echoes throughout the Sundgau. Carnival-goers from all over Alsace, the Jura, and neighboring Switzerland converge on Riespach for this day of popular celebration.

A Carnival Rooted in Sundgau

Riespach, a commune of about 700 inhabitants located between Ferrette and Altkirch, is the beating heart of the Sundgau carnival. The village, nestled in the green hills of southern Alsace, offers a rustic and authentic setting for these winter festivities. Each edition attracts hundreds of visitors and carnival enthusiasts, eager to enjoy the warm atmosphere and community spirit that prevail in this preserved corner of the Haut-Rhin.

AS Riespach: The Engine of the Carnival

The Association Sportive de Riespach is more than just a sports club: it is the pillar of the village's community life. By organizing the carnival for decades, it unites volunteers, families, and local businesses around a common project. The proceeds from the balls and the parade help finance the association's sports and cultural activities throughout the year, in a virtuous cycle that keeps the village community alive.