Carnival de Limoux

Since 1604 the tiny market town of Limoux has celebrated Carnival de Limoux, said to be the longest-running carnival in the World. Carnival de Limoux runs for three months from mid-January until the end of March, at which point the carnival closes in typical theatrical style.

Every weekend during carnival, the town of Limoux comes alive with colour and sound as the carnival bands march through the streets surrounding the square accompanied by masked dancers whose job is to entertain and equally annoy the spectators. The costumes worn by the dancers are very outlandish and flamboyant, and the music played is eclectic and joyful, traditional instruments are used, which include trumpets, trombones, clarinets, drums, and double bass. The songs sung are usually satirical and are designed to entertain, criticize, and annoy in equal measure. The entire carnival is conducted in the ancient language of the region, Occitan, which although still widely spoken in the region, is no longer the predominant language.

In the middle of the square is the giant puppet/mannequin of the King of the Carnival who on the last night of carnival (Mardi Gras) will be tried before a mock court, who will inevitably sentence the King of Carnival to be burnt at the stake. The King of the Carnival will then be burnt in a bonfire while traditional songs are played. The finale of the carnival is called Blanquette de Limoux (also the name of the famous sparkling wine of the region which is in plentiful supply for the duration of the carnival), and once the proceedings are complete a giant feast takes place.

The tradition began when millers celebrated the end of their working season and the end of their tax requirement to the church by parading through their local villages handing out parcels of flour and sugared almonds whilst accompanied by Minstrels (A Minstrel was a medieval entertainer that usually went from place to place to sing, dance and recite poetry). The origin of the tradition is from the village of Prouille and is said to have happened in the 14^th century. The Millers had been milling grains since the harvest the previous summer, and when their work was complete and their taxes to the Dominican Priory were paid they would celebrate, and the towns people would celebrate with them, grateful for their labor.

There are a lot of festivities throughout the year in this region, but without doubt the Carnival de Limoux has to be the loudest and most colourful of all of them; if you only get a chance to come to Limoux once, be sure to do so during Carnival. There are no fancy pyrotechnics or elaborate floats, just a proud community coming together to honour the traditions of their forebears, in very typical Limouxin style.