Carnaval in Aix-en-Provence

Every April the city of Aix-en-Provence celebrates an elaborately planned carnival. The theme changes each year. Children in Halloween costumes (princesses are popular) line the street on the grand boulevard in the center of town to watch the parade. They spray silly string at the floats, bands, and people on stilts. In return, the crowd is showered with cannon-fulls of confetti.

Aix-en-Provence, or just Aix (pronounced "Ex") was my home for more than four months when I studied abroad with CEA in the spring of 2010. That year, I think the theme may have had something to do with comic books, or Pablo Picasso. You wouldn't be able to tell looking at the crazy floats. Jelly fish? Pigs with solar panels for wings? Giraffes and dancing skeletons? I never had a chance to post photos of this community event back in the day, but take a look now. Embrace the bewilderment.

Le Carnaval

April 25, 2010

 Vainess, Jenny, Brittany and me on the Cours Mirabeau

 I love that the nose was pierced...

From outrageous to truly bizarre... 

 Confetti blast residue

 We climbed into the Fontaine de la Rotunde to play in the water

The CEA kick line

Buying balloons and gelato

For fun pictures of this year's Carnaval click over to You Had Me At Bonjour.