5 Sayings about Mardi-Gras in France. There are several proverbs and sayings about Mardi Gras in France. Here are five of them with their translation into English: “Quand Mardi gras est de vert vêtu, Pâques met des habits blancs.“ (When Mardi Gras is dressed in green, Easter is dressed in white.) Mardi Gras, meaning “Fat Tuesday” in French, is one of the most vibrant celebrations in France. Marking the culmination of the Carnival season, it’s a time for indulgence, creativity, and community spirit. Let’s dive into its origins, folklore, modern festivities, and culinary delights. The origins of Mardi Gras Nice was the first city in France to put on a big blow out for Mardi Gras, and they still do the grandest carnival of all. During the Nice celebrations over a thousand musicians and dancers from all over the world join in parading the streets from dusk until dawn alongside giant character floats which illuminate the city at night. There will be plenty of parades in New Orleans leading up to Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday. on March 4. from France to Brazil and beyond. And, in the U.S. although it is celebrated in Mardi Gras is a festive day celebrated in France on Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), which marks the close of the pre-Lenten season. The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent. You might have guessed, it is Mardi Gras in France. And that means Carnival time! A carnival is basically a giant street parade where people dress up and parade around the streets. The most famous Mardi Gras carnival for North Americans is the Mardi Gras of New Orleans, which still keeps the French name given its past heritage. Mardi-Gras (Fat Tuesday) isn’t just an excuse to indulge in rich foods before Lent—it’s a celebration of joy, music, and extravagant parades. It’s the day when the world momentarily turns upside down when masks allow people to become whoever they want, and when the air smells of deep-fried delights. Hence the celebration of Mardi Gras in what was once known as New France, including New Orleans. While Mardi Gras specifically celebrates the final day before Lent, the days and weeks preceding it were a period of extended celebration. These were the days once known in France as jours charnels (carnal days), now simply carnaval. Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. and gras means “fat.” In France, the day before Nombreux sont ceux qui, aujourd’hui encore, fêtent mardi gras en mangeant des pancakes. Ou des crêpes si l’on est en France. La New Orleans Mardi Gras Factory est un musée amusant et haut en couleurs où sont fabriqués les accessoires qui serviront aux festivités de l’année à venir et où certains chars de la parade sont entreposés. The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced to medieval Europe, passing through Rome and Venice in the 17th and 18th centuries to the French House of the Bourbons. With this French influence we can compare our celebrations to those of modern day Paris and smaller villages across France. Below Mardi Gras in Nice, France In France, Mardi Gras is known as Carnaval, and celebrations typically take place in the streets of cities and towns. Eating rich, fatty foods before Lent is referred to as fasting for the time. During the festive season, the French are frequently treated to lavish public celebrations and parades (‘les carnavals’). Through this tradition, certain dishes and foods have become staples during the carnival season and for mardi gras in France. 1) Les Beignets de Mardi Gras (Mardi gras donuts) One very popular type of mardi gras food in France eaten during the carnival season are carnival donuts, “les beignets” (pronounced Lay-Ben-YAY) or beignets de Carnaval. Let the good times roll in 2025 with the return of Mardi Gras and the start of Busch Gardens’ 50th anniversary celebration! From January 24 through March 9, experience Big Easy entertainment, over 40 Cajun flavors and thrilling coasters every Friday through Sunday, plus Presidents’ Day. Nice's Carnival hosts a parade with about 20 papier-mâché floats, about 50 big-headed giant puppets and throws from floats. Germany. Mardi Gras in Germany is celebrated by the Rhenish Carnival in western cities like Düsseldorf, Mainz, and Cologne. Another Carnival is the Fastnacht, celebrated by the Swabian and Alemannic people in the Baden Latest Mardi Gras News Want More Parades? We Got 'Em! Miss Mardi Gras? Awwwwww. Lucky for you, parades will be rolling in the Big Easy for St. Patrick’s Hence the celebration of Mardi Gras in what was once known as New France, including New Orleans. While Mardi Gras specifically celebrates the final day before Lent, the days and weeks preceding it were a period of extended celebration. These were the days once known in France as jours charnels (carnal days), now simply carnaval. There’s no better place to enjoy excess than these Mardi Gras celebrations, known the world over as some of the most flamboyant expressions of Carnival. 1. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You just can’t talk Carnival without giving a nod to the biggest Mardi Gras celebration in the world. Shrove Tuesday is celebrated in many different forms the world over, from Pancake Day in the UK to Carnival in Brazil and huge Mardi Gras celebrations in the US and beyond. Literally translating from the French as Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras is the first day before lent (a period of fasting for 40 days and 40 nights) begins.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |