Venetian Carnival of Longwy

La LongoVénitienne: when Longwy dresses in the colors of Venice

Since its first edition in 2009, the Venetian Carnival of Longwy — named La LongoVénitienne — has established itself as one of the most spectacular events in the Grand Est region. For a weekend in May, the city of Longwy, famous for its Vauban fortifications listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and its enamels, transforms into a small Lorraine Venice. It welcomes dozens of costumed participants from all over France, as well as from Belgium, Germany, and Italy.

A tribute to Lorraine's Italian heritage

The Venetian Carnival was born in 2009 in a context rich in history: Lorraine, and particularly the Longwy basin, has a significant community of Italian origin, heir to waves of worker immigration linked to the steel industry. The event celebrates this dual cultural identity and annually invites Italian troupes — such as the San Lorenzo flag throwers or the Pavullese group — to share their folklore. The organization of the event is carried out by the association La LongoVénitienne, created in 2014, in partnership with the City of Longwy.

Sumptuous parades in a heritage setting

The highlight of the Venetian Carnival is the costumed parade, a true open-air fashion show where participants display exceptionally rich and meticulous outfits. Crinoline dresses, hand-painted Venetian masks, feathered tricorn hats, velvet capes, and sparkling jewelry create a dazzling visual spectacle in the city streets. The costumed participants pose in front of Longwy's heritage sites — Place Darche, Porte de France, Hôtel de Ville — offering striking living tableaux.

A rich program of activities

Beyond the parades, the Venetian Carnival offers a complete program of activities for all audiences. Concerts by baroque ensembles (Quam Dilecta), Italian music (Tornero), and itinerant shows (Voyage Fantastique with its stilt walkers, airships, and imaginary hot-air balloons) punctuate the two days. A Venetian market offers art crafts, masks, jewelry, glassware, and Italian gastronomic specialties. Creative workshops allow children to make their own masks, supervised by the Point Jeunes team, and to learn fencing with the Cercle d'Escrime du Pays-Haut.

A unifying event for the city

The Venetian Carnival of Longwy is supported by the association La LongoVénitienne and the municipality, with the help of many passionate volunteers. It contributes to the cultural and tourist influence of Longwy, a UNESCO-labeled city for its Vauban fortifications. The event attracts approximately 7,000 visitors each year from across the Grand Est region and neighboring countries (Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany). It participates in the network of Venetian carnivals in France, alongside Castres, Remiremont, and Annecy.