Paris Tropical Carnival, France

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What is the Tropical Carnival of Paris?

The Paris Tropical Carnival is a large annual celebration held in the capital of France, Paris. The celebration commemorates the Caribbean and Latin community of Paris, bringing in the days of festivities to dozens of groups that fill the city with color. During the first weekend of July, the streets are filled with anexotic color and the city is infected with an incredible Caribbean vibe.

The Carnivals are organized by the City of Paris together with the Federation of the Tropical Carnival of Paris. The event places special emphasis on Caribbean music and dance, which are performed by various groupings from Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion, Guyana, among others. In addition, it also has a good number of international Latin American groups that present typical dances and traditional music.

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The entire event takes place on themost beautiful avenue in the world, Avenue des Champs-Elysées. The event has the participation of more than 30 groups that take the avenue with its 2,000 participants to dazzle the thousands of spectators on the avenue. Each comparsa has phenomenal statues, music and diverse choreographies to enliven the passers-by. The percussion and music can never be missing, giving rhythm to all the groups to dazzle the spectators.

Each year, the carnival has a different theme, some of these commemorate certain events or events of the past. In previous editions, the organization has themed the carnival with “Paris, la folie carnaval“, with which it has paid tribute to the origins of the carnival.

 

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When is the Carnaval Tropical de Paris?

The Tropical Carnival of Paris is a particular celebration, as it does not take place during the month of February or March, but in the month of July, making it a summer celebration. The Tropical Carnival of Paris is held regularly during the first weekend of July.

TheParis Tropical Carnival will be held on approximately the 4th of July.

 

 

History of the Tropical Carnivals of Paris

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France is one of the pioneers in carnival, so you can see it in the dozens of carnival parties in various cities of the country and Paris is no exception. The first documents highlighting carnival parties in Paris date back to the 15th century, but they have probably been going on since much earlier. Europe is where carnivals originated, beginning inancient Rome, spreading throughout the continent and being celebrated with great effervescence.

In the beginning, carnivals were carried out as a kind of activity that allowed people to detach themselves from everyday life, functioning as a pressure valve for the different social sectors. The parties began to develop their own characteristics with theuse of masks and costumes, which concealed the identity of the person. In this way, people could perform all kinds of actions. The carnival became increasingly wild and immoral to the point of being strongly censored, both by the church and by the authorities.

During the colonization of Latin American and Caribbean countries, the colonists, French, Spanish and Portuguese, imposed their traditions and religious beliefs, one of which was, of course, carnivals. Latin American and Caribbean countries were the ones that most intensely acquired the traditions. Although at first they were only celebrated by select groups and freepeople, prohibiting the celebration to slaves. After the abolition of slavery, they acquired a more distinct identity, blending with traditional, African and European elements.

Today, the Paris Tropical Carnival brings Caribbean and Latin American groups to the streets of Paris to express the various nuances that carnival has acquired in these regions. The Parisian Tropical Carnival is organized thanks to the Federation of the Tropical Carnival of Paris and has been held for about 20 years, offering spaces to the various sectors for the expression of their identity and traditions.

 

Where is the Tropical Carnival of Paris

The Tropical Carnival takes place in the capital of France, Paris.

Paris is one of the most important economic centers in Europe. Paris has an area of 105 square kilometers where about 2.1 million people live.

 

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How the Paris Tropical Carnival is celebrated

The Tropical Carnival of Paris is an incredible opportunity for the dozens of groups who want to make their identity and cultural traditions known through dance and music. Year after year, thousands of people come to the Avenue des Champs-Elysées to see various cultural demonstrations. These groups that are presented annually have been founded in France for theproliferation of the cultural aspects of those who participate, regardless of their country of origin. In previous editions, it has been possible to find Latin American dance and music groups from Bolivia and Colombia.

 

Groupings

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The Paris Tropical Carnivals are the perfect excuse to showcase the diverse cultures found in Paris. In addition, spectators also have the opportunity to experience various cultural manifestations from Latin American countries and other regions of the world. In the past, the carnival has had the pleasure of welcoming groups from China, Brazil and Colombia. Several of these groups transit on foot, but many others use themed floats for people to delight with artistic pieces andhundreds of flowers.

The Tropical Carnival of Paris is an incredible blend of African, European and Native American traditions. The carnival celebration is expressed mainly by the dancing, the costumes and the songs of each of the groups.

The Tropical Carnival of Paris has had the participation of the following groups:

• • Cumbia Association
  • Azulinha
  • Bagay Ka Brenem
  • Bloco De Paris
  • Caporales San Simon
  • Caporales San Simon
  • Caporales Mi Viejo San Simon
  • Chaye Yo

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• Chaye Me
• Chaye Yo
• Estampas Del Peru
• Ethnick 97
• Fedasbol – Bolivia
• Hibiscus D Haiti
• Ka Fraternite
• Karaib’vibe
• Kreyol’ys
• Lanmen Kreyol
• Makavelik Mass
• Mas Lyberasyon
• Sisters Of Malaka
• Paname
• Avrouria Pirouli
• Roulo D’or
• Tropikana

 

Themes

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Every year the organization employs a different type of theme, which functions as a mirror of the different events and happenings particularly in the city. On previous occasions, the carnival has taken on themes such as “Paris, la folie carnival” as a reminder of the artistic extravaganzas, which resulted in an incredible spectacle of glittering and ostentatious costumes. In addition, it has also taken on themes such as “Paris Capitale des Arts” developing a great artistic spectacle.

Contest

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During carnivals also develop a contest theme to determine the comparsa with the best performance. The jury awards prizes, with the Tropical Carnival Grand Prix being the most coveted and anticipated. The jury panel is composed of various personalities among them politicians, renowned figures and personalities in theentertainment industry and carnivals.

 

Every year, thousands of dancers and tens of floats come from all over the city and the world to promote and develop the diverse cultures, ethnicities and traditions in a fun and friendly atmosphere.

We invite you to the most beautiful avenue in the world to enjoy an incredible Caribbean and Latin American carnival experience. The event is filled with music, spectacular costumes, floats and hypnotic choreography.

 

Tips for going to the Paris Tropical Carnivals

If you wish to participate in the Tropical Carnival of Paris, we recommend you to plan your trip in advance, make an itinerary of activities and book the accommodation of your choice in advance. Also, remember to pack comfortable clothes so you can fully enjoy your carnival festivities.

During the festivities, remember to stay hydrated and apply sunscreen, even if the sun is not too strong.

 

Events at the Paris Tropical Carnival

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Although the parade of theParis Tropical Carnival is held in a single day, it doesn’t mean that they are not as spectacular as the rest of the French carnivals. During the big parade you will see hundreds of participants who congregate in the streets to celebrate their identity and to show what their culture, tradition and ethnicity have to offer.

Every year, different groups come to the streets of Paris with enthusiasm. At the event you will see dozens of musicians who with their drums and trumpets will play various tunes of Caribbean rhythms. Hundreds of dancers take to the streets with their fancy colorful dresses, full of feathers and their dance steps hypnotize all spectators.

Some of theinternational troupes are dedicated to performing traditional dances, such as the caporales and diabladas. The women twirl in their pompous colorful dresses, while the men strut and leap with hat in hand. The whole show is accompanied by unique and traditional musical pieces.

Likewise, the Colombian groups perform various acts and choreographies moving to the distinctive rhythm of cumbias, while those from Brazil parade and dance to samba rhythms. The groups from China gracefully parade with dancing dragons and colorful costumes. TheCaribbean percussionists envelop the entire celebration with their drums.

At the end of the entire event, the jury panel awards prizes in the various categories, including best French costume,best float, best samba school, best choreography,best costume of invited groups, best guest group and many other categories that encompass the themes of the groups.

 

 

Paris Tropical Carnival Parades

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The parade is the reflection of the dozens of cultural expressions that each group performs on the most beautiful avenue in the world. The parade includes national and international groupings so that people can learn a little more about the diverse cultures and traditions of the world.

The procession is a true spectacle in every sense, both visual and auditory. The streets of the city shake with the powerful sound of the drums of the Caribbean bands, while the samba schools perform their incredible choreographies in stunning costumes, full of glitter and multicolored feathers.

 

The floats also take the most beautiful avenue in the world with their magical colors and sculptures. The different themed cars enjoy different themes and are decorated with characteristic elements of each grouping. In the parade you will find floats with large birds and completely covered with flowers or cars decorated with beauty queens with large colorful dresses..

Although the parade is a big competition for the best comparsas, carrozas and dresses. Tthe whole event takes place in an environment of animosity and brotherhood between various cultures. The city of Paris is the great stage for these groups that come from various parts of the world to express themselves in front of more than 200,000 people every year.

 

Parade route

 

 

Generally, the parade takes place taking part of the Avenue des Champs Elysees. The Avenue des Champs Elysees is known as the Most Beautiful Avenue in the world and stretches for 1.9 km long and about 70 meters wide. The entire avenue stretches between Place de la Concorde and Place Charles de Gaulle.

The parade usually starts from the Rond-Point des Champs Elysées, and then goes up the avenue to the intersection of rue Georges V. Once there, it will make a U-turn to return to its starting point where the jury stand will be located.

 

 

What to eat at the Tropical Carnival in Paris

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France is known for containing some of the best gastronomy in the world and despite possessing some simple elements, they are good enough to stand out on their own. The streets of Paris are lined with thousands of places, bakeries, pastry shops, bars, restaurants and food truicks that will give you the best culinary experience of your life.

One of the typical foods of France and Paris is the Croissant. The Croissant is one of the simplest and most delicious baked goods in France. You can find them everywhere and consume it alone, accompanied, with butter, jam or chocolate. Croissant is a bread that is made with a rolling technique, resulting in a layered, light and aromatic bread.

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Another French classic in the onion soup. This soup has been in the country’s kitchens for centuries, but it re-emerged much more strongly in the mid-20th century. Onion soup was one of the simplest dishes and the lower strata of society were the ones who consumed it, but nowadays the soup has acquired much more refined elements, being considered one of the most important dishes in the country. The dish is made with meat broth or water, slow cooked caramelized onions, a splash of brandy and toasted bread on top.

In the city of Paris you can find thousands of locals in every corner. If during the tropical carnivals you want to tour the city to expand your gastronomic knowledge, we recommend visiting the following places: Il Etait Un Square, New Jawad Longchamp, L’Aubergeade, Le Florimond, Seb’on, TRADI, Chez Marcel and Chez Toinette.

 

 

What to see and do inside the Paris Tropical Carnival

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The Paris Tropical Carnival parade is a unique and singular event. At the event you have the opportunity to see a large number of groups from all over the world. Once at the event, you will be able to see the various samba schools with their dancers and musical groups; the caporales of Bolivia strutting and dancing in the middle of the street; the groupings from China withdancing dragons; the cumbia dancers and the musicians and dancers of the Caribbean. At the parade you will also have the opportunity to see people letting their imaginations fly wearing various themed costumes that amaze anyone.

The floats are another of the elements you can find in the parade. Dozens of themed and decorated floats cross the streets with characteristic designs of each group. You cansee dozens of figures embellished with flowers, glitter, feathers and hallucinating colors that will make you can’t take your eyes off them.

 

What to see and do outside of the Tropical Carnivals in Paris

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Musée d’Orsay

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It is a French art museum with works dating from 1848 to 1914. Inside the grounds include sculptures, furniture, photographs and paintings by Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin and Van Gogh.

 

Sainte-Chapelle

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It is a medieval Gothic chapel which functioned as a royal residence until the 14th century. The chapel was completed in 1248 and has been restored due to damage caused in periods of political and social instability.

 

Museum de l’Orangerie

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This is an art gallery with impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. The museum is famous for having works by Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

 

Weather at the Tropical Carnival in Paris

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During the celebration of the Paris Tropical Carnival, the city’s weather is quite pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 16 to 26 degrees Celsius. During the night it can get a bit chilly, so we recommend you to pack some warm clothes.

 

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How to get to the Paris Tropical Carnival

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Paris has two major airports adjacent to it, one being Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport and the other being Paris Orly Airport, either of which you can successfully reach Paris. Showever, the Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport has greater connectivity with the rest of Europe and the world. Once there, you can use the various means of transportation until you reach the city center.

 

How to get there by train

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From Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport you can take the train to Chatelet Les Halles using the CDGVAL and CDG VAL lines, passing through Roissypole Terminal 3. The journey takes 45 minutes.

In addition, you can also arrive in Paris from other countries in Europe such as Spain, United Kingdom, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

 

How to get there by bus

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From Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport you can take the bus to the city center using the companies Bus RATP or Le Bus Direct. The journey takes 43 minutes.

You can also reach the city of Paris from the main cities of Europe.

 

How to get there by car

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From Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport you can take the A3 to the city center. The journey takes 30 minutes.

If you take a cab, the taxi fare ranges from US$50 to US$65 for the ride.