The Mulhouse carnival, the carnival not to be missed

At Sextant, we’ve always had a soft spot for Alsace. A region of great beauty with a very vibrant folklore, a rich and varied culinary art, a terroir envied throughout the world – the Alsatian good life is second to none. Besides Christmas, the other unmissable event in Alsace is the carnival, a well-established and widely celebrated tradition. As far as we’re concerned, the one in Mulhouse stands out. This former Swiss enclave has managed to preserve its ancestral peculiarities, with an additional Alsatian festive atmosphere – the Mulhouse carnival is the unmissable carnival in France. Here’s a little tour!

Did you know?

The word “Carnival” comes from the Latin expression “Carne Levare” which means to take away the flesh. Indeed, Shrove Tuesday marks the end of festivities that should prepare Christians to begin the fast before Lent properly. It is therefore a religious festival at first, but it also has pagan origins since the carnival coincides with the arrival of fine weather. According to tradition, children would dress up to ask for eggs, flour and sugar. With these, parents would prepare doughnuts, cakes and of course pancakes.

The Mulhouse Carnival

Why do these festivities stand out? There are many carnavals throughout France that are worth a visit, of course. In Mulhouse, it’s different – the weekend after Shrove Tuesday, everyone gathers on the Place de la Réunion. The same location as the Christmas market we mentioned last December. The festivities last all weekend! The fancy-dress parades, of course, but that’s not all – Mulhouse celebrates every evening. And to finish, the election of the carnival king and queen! If you know the winners, send us a tweet with their photo! The Alsatian metropolis is truly the unmissable carnival in France.