Has anyone ever been to Nice during the February/pre-Lent carnival before? I am thinking about booking a room for a long weekend from London, but am not sure what to expect. As a side note, how easy is it to get to Monte Carlo from Nice? Thanks for you help!

I am also interested. When exactly is the carnival? I will be there Feb 20th through 26th.

Nice Carnivale: <BR>Jan. 31 to Feb. 17, 2002.<BR>Nice-Monte Carlo. Very easy by train.

By train you can go to east to Monaco- Monte Carlo or west to Cannes, both take 20 mins.<BR><BR>

Hi Jennifer. I flew to Nice in February 1996 and just missed the Carnivale by (I think) a day. Colorful confetti was still all over the streets and viewing stands were still in the Place Massena (which, unfortunately, kind of blocked views of the wonderful Italianate buildings which surround the Place.) Anyway, I bet it would be fun, especially to see the parade...but probably also noisy and perhaps a bit rowdy. <BR><BR>As others have noted, it's very easy to get to Monte Carlo from Nice by train. <BR><BR>If you go, I hope you have fun. I love Nice!

P.S. If you watch the parade, you might want to wear some flour-and-egg-protective clothing. :~) <BR><BR>See "Carnival 2002: Mardi Gras in Nice" at:<BR><BR>http://gofrance.about.com/library/weekly/aa122000.htm

Just read this thread and realized i am going to be there during this time for the last week-end of Carnaval. If anyone has been there, is the illuminated parade or the flower parade or the character parade or what the most interesting? Plus, we don't have a room booked yet, should I be panicking? Our original thought was just to book something cheap near the airport since our flight doesn't get in until 10:00, but maybe we should change that idea. We have been vacillating about how much time to devote to Nice since we're read mixed reactions to the city. Bottom line questiom really though, is it worth taking time to do one of these Carnaval events or aren't they anything special.