For once, the Carnaval Tropical, usually held in Paris in July, saw its 22nd edition postponed until after the summer, in view of the Olympic Games. The rendezvous was set for this Sunday, October 6, 2024, starting at 1pm.
As every year, hundreds of dancers and some 30 carnival groups paraded down the Champs-Elysées avenue for the occasion. For the occasion, several associations from Paris and the Île-de-France region paraded to proudly represent cultures from the four corners of the globe through traditional dress and dance.
While Saturday was almost summery, it was a cold and rainy Sunday for festival-goers. But that didn't dampen their spirits. It was a joyful and festive journey.
The Carnaval Tropical is part of the city's tradition of major cultural events. It closes the Olympic year's cultural program for the French overseas territories, which kicked off on June 1 and 2 with the "Nuit Blanche Outre-Mer" in Paris and the French overseas territories.
After the Nuit Blanche, the Olympic Torch relay took place in June in French Guiana, Reunion, Polynesia, Guadeloupe and Martinique, before returning to Paris.
To close this Olympic period in the French overseas territories, Sunday, October 6, 2024 was chosen to celebrate the magnificence of the Carnaval Tropical in Paris. This year's theme was " Overseas united by Olympism ", which inspired the twenty participating troupes from Paris, the Île-de-France region, as well as Peru, Colombia, Bolivia and the Dominican Republic.
The procession marched from the Rond-point des Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe before returning to the Rond-Point, where each group presented its choreography to the jury, seated in front of the grandstand.
The Carnaval Tropical de Paris is without doubt the capital's biggest carnival. Every year, it attracts some 200,000 spectators for a highly animated parade. Initiated more than 20 years ago, this carnival was originally organized by West Indians in mainland France, but today sees many different origins come together, including China, Brazil, England, Holland and Colombia.
For the record, what is Carnaval Tropical? It's a gathering of hundreds of colorful costumes from all over the world, with music ranging from the traditional to the exotic, and choreography imagined for the occasion that gives free rein to the groups present to blend history and creativity. There's also a competition to reward the best performances in front of the grandstand at the end of the show.
New for this 2024 edition, the City of Paris will be giving even greater recognition to the quality and performance of the troupes by awarding prizes to the winners. The City of Paris will be awarding the following 4 prizes:
In short, although the rain invited itself to the party, it was a great festive event.
Location
Avenue des Champs-Elysées
Av. des Champs-Élysées
75008 Paris 8
Access
Metro: Champs-Élysées-Clémenceau (lines 1 and 13) Franklin D. Roosevelt (lines 1 and 9) George V (line 1) Charles de Gaulle-Étoile (lines 1, 2 and 6)
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
