Mardi Gras in France

Why not spend Mardi Gras in France ?

Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday which precedes the beginning of Lent, a period during which Christians must eat “lean”, that is to say, abstain from meat and other animal products. Mardi Gras is therefore the last opportunity to eat “fat”: usually Carnival donuts or pancakes, foods containing eggs and butter ,which are prohibited during Lent, are eaten profusely during this event.

The foods we eat during Mardi Gras in France vary by region. Brittany, known for its pancakes and other butter-based desserts, is therefore attraction during the party: you can especially taste the pancakes but also the famous crackers (disc-shaped cookies). Other traditional pastries also come back every year during this period: donuts (the Vosges), beugnots (Franche-Comté), etc.

MARDI GRAS

This period is often accompanied by the famous “carnival”. Coming from the Latin carne et levare, literally “removing the meat”, announcing the Lenten period, the carnival is a great celebration celebrating chaos and the inversion of social roles: everyone disguises themselves and change their identity for the time of the party.

In France, the most famous carnivals are in Nice or in Dunkirk, but the carnivals of the North West are also very popular. On the Brittany side, the carnival of Douarnenez is renowned for its floats, balls and parades, but also for the enthronement of the King of the Carnival on the first day of the celebration. Another known Breton carnival is the Carnival of the Gay Lurons, taking place in the town of Vitré, where one can admire the parade of “big heads”, big papier-mache dolls, but also the excessive use of confetti.

In order to get the best addresses to taste a beautiful Breton pancake or to discover the best spots to admire the carnival, you can chat with our different Breton representatives, true experts of Breton custom and lovers of the region.