Snow & winter celebration in Côte d'Azur

Wintertime has a decidedly festive air in Nice! Every February, the world-famed Carnival transforms the city into a vast open-air theatre, where monumental floats – often satirical and accompanied by dancers – parade in a joyful party atmosphere between the iconic Place Masséna and Promenade des Anglais on the sea front. Don’t miss the amazing flower battles, when mimosa, gerberas and carnations are thrown from the floats in a firework display of colour. Right next door, on Square Leclerc, you’ll find the Carnival Village, offering a festive line-up of food stalls, creative workshops, exhibitions and artistic entertainment. Carnival fever is everywhere… from the city’s lanes to its movie theatres and shops. The whole city takes part in this exhilarating celebration, lighting up Nice by day and night.

Its time to head to the summits of Mercantour National Park and ski resort of Auron, a proud holder of the “Family Plus” quality label. Here, downhill skiing goes hand in hand with a fantastic array of activities accessible to all. The slopes offer stunning panoramic views, but the resort’s lively atmosphere and fun snow sports are just as alluring. The snow tubing park guarantees plenty of hilarity, or why not try your hand at dog sledding – a unique way to explore the snowy landscapes, promising plenty of forever memories to take back home. You’ll find a skating rink on offer too, and even a novel ice pétanque court. The festivities continue after sundown, with the Winter Party torchlit descent, musical entertainment, chocolate and mulled wine tasting and the Snow Carnival: a fun giant slalom race in fancy dress with a prize for the best disguise!

Perched at an altitude of 2,000 metres, about thirty kilometres from Auron, Isola 2000 offers more than just a stunning alpine setting. A holder of the “Family Plus” label, the resort’s vast ski area and unobstructed views over the peaks of Mercantour National Park promise to please. The wide and varied slopes are an invitation to ski all day long, whether you’re looking to perfect your parallel turns or still learning the basic snowplough technique. The numerous non-ski activities keep things fresh and include dog sledding, snake gliss (a fun and thrilling activity consists of up to 10 toboggans tied together to form a train), snow volleyball and snowshoeing, with the allure of a delicious fondue as your reward. The packed events offering includes a carnival and nighttime Ski Show – an exciting combo of lights, music and skiing demonstrations.

It’s time to head to Menton, where winter rhymes with citrus fruit! The Fête du Citron transforms the town into a world of giant orange and lemon sculptures, magnificent displays adorning the local gardens and promenades, and palpitating parades swathed in a festive atmosphere. The craft market is a great chance to meet with friendly local producers and artisans. For a deeper dive into the world of citrus fruit, enjoy a tour of the Ferme des Citrons or terraced orchards of Maison Gannac, topped with delicious produce tastings. After the festivities and culinary delights, it’s time to delve into heritage with a visit to the Saint-Michel Archange Basilica overlooking the old town, or take a little detour to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin to admire Eileen Gray’s villa and Le Corbusier’s cabin on the Mediterranean coast.

If you’re visiting on the right dates, stop off in Villefranche-sur-Mer on your way back to Nice to take part in a extraordinary nautical flower battle! In the bay, old wooden “pointu” fishing boats adorned with flowers battle it out (symbolically of course), throwing armfuls of colourful blooms to the public and other craft on the water in a joyful celebration of local maritime traditions – a real feast for the eyes. In Nice, the world-famed Carnival prolongs the festive pleasure until early March. But the city isn’t just about partying: Nice is also a great place to explore at a leisurely pace. Colline du Château hill offers breathtaking vistas over the Bay of Angels, ice-skating enthusiasts will enjoy a twirl at the Patinoire Jean-Bouin, architecture aficionados are sure to appreciate the Tête Carrée building, and history buffs will want to admire the former Hôtel Regina, where Queen Victoria once stayed. Last but not least, your stroll ends at Notre-Dame de l’Assomption Basilica, a city centre icon.