So while the floats are parading round Place Massena, everyone squirts that sticky string over, well, everyone else. I hate the stuff. Last time I came to carnival I was hit on the back and my pullover was ruined. This time a young girl got my camera just missing the lens. I prefer the confetti; it's harmless and pretty..
I've just been pondering the shocking story of Sir Alan Stanford, the banking tycoon at the heart of yet another fraud so my choice of today's photo is somewhat topical. Traditionally the carnival floats can have political/satirical themes; this one depicts a fat cat capitalist enjoying the good life while people starve, note the emaciated figures to the front.
Here he is the King of the Carnival, wonderfully colourful and huge, though a voice inside my head keeps saying: yes, but what is he exactly? You can get an idea of the height by looking at the people standing by the barrier.
The corso carnavalesque makes its way through the Place Massena between stands of seats and down onto the Promenade des Anglais where there are more seating areas. There is, of course, a fee for the seats but I had a great view standing near the barrier and it was more fun being a part of the crowd..
It's that time of year again; we're in the run up to Lent and Carnival started last Saturday with a battle of the flowers on the Promenade des Anglais. I missed that one but was there on Sunday to watch the grand parade of the floats bearing the huge characters. This year's theme is Masquerades so all the characters were wearing or carrying masks....
This is the Queen of the Carnival. I suppose I should have started with His Majesty the King but, you know, I much preferred her; she looks like a Disney princess and I half expected her to burst into song..
This was taken on Saturday during the last night of the Carnival. Traditionally the King is paraded through the streets one last time then taken out to sea and burnt followed by a firework display.
You can just see one of the Grosse Tetes behind . The King was Chirac wearing a rugby strip but I think that Head must have been one of the others whose names escape me just now...oh my memory..
It's Carnival time in Nice and the shop windows are carnival themed. This is the window of a chocolatier in the old town and their display was based around some stunningly beautiful Venetian masks. The chocolates were pretty good too.
Carnival starts on the 16th February and finishes on the 4th March and preparations have been underway to decorate the city. These strange characters appeared overnight on the Cours Saleya.
The theme this year is "King of the Grand Free For All" which doesn't exactly trip off the tongue. It's a reference to the Rugby World Cup which will take place this year in France and, of course, the free-for-all of the French elections.
The spirit of Carnival is already permeating the streets; this waiter dashed over to pose for me...
Expect to hear more about Carnival. 
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