Nîmes hosts first Halloween parade

Nîmes, a city in southern France, held its first-ever Halloween parade on October 31, introducing a new tradition to the area. The event took place in the city center, drawing attention with its unique blend of spooky and festive elements.

Parade route and features

The parade began at 4:30 PM with festivities and departed at 7:30 PM from in front of the Maison Carrée, a Roman amphitheater. It wound its way through the city via Boulevard Victor-Hugo, ending at the arena square. The procession included three floats, 60 dancers, and a fourth float with a DJ, offering a mix of choreographed performances and music.

Cultural collaboration and decorations

Participants from the Hallyu Days Festival, an event celebrating South Korean culture held on Place d'Assas, were invited to join the parade. The city center was transformed with decorations featuring fantastic animals, imaginary beings, and grotesque characters, creating an immersive Halloween atmosphere.

Guided tours of decorated facades

The Office de Tourisme, Nîmes' tourism office, organized guided tours to explore the decorated facades and sculptures. These included gargoyles of the cathedral, the bestiary of a Roman house on Rue de la Madeleine, and a mysterious four-legged ancient deity near the Palais de Justice.

Historic sculptures and quirky details

Nîmes is known for its many fantastic stone carvings, such as a man with four legs near the Palais de Justice on Rue de l'Aspic. The Jacquemard, a clock that chimes every hour on Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, is a familiar sight to locals, but the animal figures on its facade, like two hunting dogs, a fox, and a boar, are less known. These sculptures reflect the building's history as an armory from around 1880.

Notable historical sculptures

Other notable sculptures include a lion sticking out its tongue, a man in underwear with bulging eyes, and a monkey with its head upside down. The Roman house on Rue de la Madeleine features a 12th-century frieze with columns emerging from a bearded animal's mouth and a medallion showing a face with bulging eyes and two snakes coming from its mouth.

Event's popularity and accessibility

Despite the late hour and many businesses closing, the parade attracted large numbers of families. The Office de Tourisme continues to offer guided tours of the decorated facades, which are available for viewing throughout the year.