Gallery
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Mardi Gras and Carnival refer to eating more decadent, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of Lent. In France, this festive season comes with sumptuous public celebrations or parades (‘les carnavals‘) in many French towns and schools. Here’s a look at how Carnival and Mardi Gras in France are celebrated. We’ll also explore the origins: how Christianity and several ancient Pagan celebrations most likely influenced today’s party-like Carnival traditions. Mardi Gras and Carnival: who, what, when and why! Carnival, as we know it today, is older than you think. Mardi Gras: Christian origins Lent, a period of fasting, deprivation, austerity and purification that lasts 40 days, is a time for Christians to prepare for the great feast of Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday. What Is Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras is a tradition that dates back thousands of years to pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, and gras means “fat.” In France, the day before Ash In medieval France, Mardi Gras became a significant part of the Carnival season, characterized by masked balls, parades, and feasting. The name “Fat Tuesday” reflects the tradition of eating richly before the 40-day fast of Lent – in French, le Carême. This year, Mardi Gras falls on March 4th 2025. Mardi Gras masks. However, it consistently falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, marking the commencement of Lent. Originally rooted in Christian tradition, Mardi Gras retains its festive spirit among the predominantly Roman Catholic French populace, albeit with a fading emphasis on its religious significance. 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. For us in the United States, the actual founding of Mardi Gras was in 1702: In 1702 French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville established “Fort Louis de la Mardi Gras traditions in France, known globally for its riotous parades and vibrant festivities, hold a special place in the heart of France, where it’s not just about the spectacle but also a culinary celebration that takes us on a journey through time and tradition. In the spirit of Mardi Gras, let’s delve into the rich tapestry of this Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is a celebration steeped in rich history and diverse cultural traditions. While most commonly associated with New Orleans, Louisiana, Mardi Gras has deep roots in France and is celebrated in various forms around the world. One of the most iconic elements of Mardi Gras celebrations is the King’s cake, a [&hellip Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, and refers to the celebration beginning after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and up to Ash Wednesday. It is called Fat Tuesday because you are meant to eat rich, fatty foods before Lent begins. In the United Kingdom, Mardi Gras is also known as Shrove Tuesday, which is derived from 🇬🇧 Mardi Gras and Carnival refer to eating more decadent, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of Lent. In France, this festive season comes with sumptuou Mardi Gras Indians may be one of the most mysterious aspects of New Orleans Mardi Gras, particularly for visitors to the city. Tribes were formed by African American communities who were excluded from traditional parades and krewes, and they typically poke fun at krewe royalty and governing structures. But how did the name come about and what are the origins of and traditions around Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras was originally a religious festival. It takes place 47 days before Easter, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent when Christians traditionally abstain from eating fatty food, especially meat. The Mardi Gras celebration originated in France in the 17th century. It was originally a religious holiday, but over time it has become more of a festive occasion.Mardi Gras is now celebrated in many countries around the world, but the largest and most well-known celebrations take place in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. Mardi Gras also marks the end of the Carnival period. It is the equivalent of Shrove Tuesday or Pancake day which is the day immediately before Ash Wednesday. From Nicola : Mardi Gras may well have been 21st February, but in Reminiac it was yesterday we exist in a bubble, two weeks behind the real world! This guide will help you navigate the celebration of Mardi Gras in France, ensuring you make the most of this exhilarating experience. Understanding Mardi Gras in France. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, marks the end of the Carnival season, a period of festivity and indulgence before the solemn season of Lent in the Christian calendar. In France While Mardi Gras is celebrated in various forms around the world, it is most famously associated with New Orleans, Louisiana. Over the centuries, Mardi Gras in New Orleans has evolved into a grand and extravagant celebration, deeply rooted in the city’s unique blend of French, African, Spanish, and Caribbean cultures. 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. 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.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |