Event: France

Bailleul Carnival

When:	1 - 5 Feb 2008 (annual)
Where:	Bailleul-Mont des Cats
Costs:	Free
Opening Hours:	Various

The inhabitants of Bailleul celebrate carnival with five days of processions and other festivities.

The carnival has taken place since 1853, when the Philanthropic Company of Bailleul was founded. During the event, a search takes place for the needy ones of the city. The Gargantua Giant chairs the festivities, seated on his float and accompanied by his kitchen boys.

At the end of Shrove Tuesday, after the final procession of around 50 floats, with local groups, brass bands and plenty of confetti, Doctor Francisco Piccolissimo tries to cure the excesses of some inhabitants in an unconventional way in front of the town hall, and the festival continues late into the night in the town's cafés and bars.

Please visit the Bailleul Carnival Website for a detailed calendar of events.