Carnival and Grégoire of Amélie-les-Bains

A Must-Attend Event

Every year, the Carnival of Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda makes the town come alive with festivities. This event blends local traditions, festive moments, and great conviviality.

Municipal archives have also revealed photographs of carnival celebrations dating back to the 1900s. What is certain is that since 1945, it has been held continuously and is now considered one of the two most beautiful and popular carnivals in the Pyrénées-Orientales!

Carnival of Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda

The Children's Ball: A Festive Moment for the Youngest

Before the grand parade, the festivities begin with the children's ball. This moment is specially designed for the youngest, allowing them to enjoy a dedicated space for dancing and celebration.

Children's Ball

The Cavalcade: A Colorful Parade

The town center comes to life with the grand cavalcade. This festive parade is an unmissable spectacle featuring decorated floats, dazzling costumes, and musical performances.

Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda Cavalcade

The Grégoire Bonfire: A Spectacular Tradition

The Carnival of Amélie-les-Bains concludes with the burning of Grégoire, a symbolic tradition of the Vallespir region.

The "Grégoires" of Amélie continue the rituals of the procession and Ash Wednesday to close the carnival week with joy and to start the new year under the best auspices. His Majesty "Grégoire," led by a Swiss guard, a funeral procession, and a cobla, is followed by villagers draped in white costumes and pointed hats, scattering flour over the crowd. After being paraded around the town, His Majesty Carnival is taken to the bonfire and burned in the public square, surrounded by a frenzied farandole. Once returned to the earth, the celebration ends with the grand ball of white costumes and the traditional Tio-Tio.

Grégoire Bonfire

The Closing Night: The Tio-Tio and the Grand Ball

After the bonfire, it's time for the tradition of the Tio-Tio, an old Catalan dance where participants, in a line, try to ignite a piece of paper attached to the back of the person in front of them using a candle.

The festivities continue with the grand Carnival ball, where an orchestra or DJ keeps the party alive, making everyone dance late into the night.

Grand Carnival Ball

Practical Information

• Children's Ball: A festive space dedicated to the youngest.
• Cavalcade: A parade of floats, music, and costumes.
• Grégoire Bonfire: The symbolic burning of the character.
• Tio-Tio: Traditional song and reenactment by children.
• Grand Ball: A festive evening to conclude the carnival.