Carnival.

Say Carnival and the elegance of Venice or the fleshy temptations of Rio float into mind but here on the Cote d'Azur we too have our version of Carnival, a boisterously colourful affair that involves thousands of flowers, loud music, dancing and hugely high spirits. I was in the city centre yesterday and the streets were packed with holiday makers and school children all set on having a good time.
People complain about the money it costs and, no, it doesn't pay its way and then there's the extra traffic etc etc but I'm all in favour of anything that lifts my spirits and brings smiles to every one's faces. Life's too short to be a grown up!
The shop windows are brightly decorated for the occasion. This one's a chocolatier and confiseur, full of bon bons and hand made chocolates grouped round this Venetian mask. Isn't it sumptuous?

The local schools usually celebrate Carnival on the Friday before the February holidays and the children are allowed to dress up, eat sweets and dance. Parents are allowed in if they're prepared to dress up too..
This is an old photo of my son dressed up for carnival. I've included it because he celebrated his 18th birthday last weekend and is now legally an adult which explains all the agonies of nostalgia I've been going through this week...