Carnaval Tropical de Paris

Every year in late June or early July, the French capital celebrates a loud and vibrant Caribbean carnival. The Carnaval Tropical de Paris (Paris Tropical Carnival) is one of the city’s brightest and most anticipated annual events.

The Carnaval Tropical de Paris was founded in 2001 by Caribbean immigrants, most of whom represented French overseas territories such as Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion, French Polynesia, Saint Martin and others. Over the years, however, it has transformed into a multicultural celebration featuring carnival groups from all over the world. Countries that have participated in the Paris Tropical Carnival include Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Peru, and more.

The Paris Tropical Carnival is organized by the city administration (Mairie de Paris) together with the Paris Tropical Carnival Federation (Fédération du Carnaval Tropical de Paris). The event puts the spotlight on traditional music and dance.

The main event of the Carnaval Tropical de Paris is a beautiful parade featuring over 2,500 musicians, singers and dancers from 30 carnival groups from France and abroad. They dance through the city to the beat of the drums and sound of Caribbean music, representing cultures from all over the world. Spectacular costumes, amazing choreography, and lavishly decorated floats make the Paris Tropical Carnival parade a sight to behold. The groups spend months preparing and rehearsing for the parade to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch.

The parade begins at the Champs-Élysées traffic circle (rond-point des Champs-Élysées) and proceeds along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées before turning around near the Arc de Triomphe. The revelers then return to the traffic circle for their last performance in front of a jury that awards the best group with various prizes, including the Best Group of the City of Paris, as well as seven other prizes.

Every year, the procession attracts some 200,000 spectators who line up along the avenue to see the dancers and musicians. The Carnaval Tropical de Paris offers a unique opportunity to discover various cultures in one place, listen to a mix of traditional and contemporary music, soak up the cheerful tropical atmosphere, celebrate cultural diversity and freedom, and simply enjoy oneself.