Combat Naval Fleuri in Villefranche-sur-Mer

Every February, Villefranche-sur-Mer holds a flower battle on the water. Traditional wooden fishing boats called pointus, dressed in carnations and mimosa instead of floats, sail into the port while the crowd on the quays catches the blooms and, sometimes, throws a few back. The Combat Naval Fleuri has been held here since 1902, and it is free to watch.

When is the Combat Naval Fleuri?

It is held in February, during the Carnival season that leads up to Lent. The 2026 edition took place on Monday 16 February. The date of the next edition has not yet been confirmed on the official Villefranche-sur-Mer site, so check the town’s agenda before you plan your trip.

The tourist office’s listing for the coming edition sets out the usual rhythm of the day: it starts with folk groups strolling at the Octroi from 11:00, a carnival parade along the quays at 13:30, and the launch of the flower battle at the Port de la Santé at 14:00. The quays open to pedestrians from 11:00, and a flower-lined walk and a prize quiz run through the day.

What to expect

This is a small-town party rather than a grand parade. In 2026 around twenty flower-covered pointus took part, and nearly 60,000 carnations and more than a tonne of mimosa were thrown. Most flowers end up in the hands of spectators, many of whom take home a bouquet, and some are tossed back at the boats. Villefranche’s version is the only flower battle on the Riviera fought on the water, with the boats afloat and the spectators on land.

Music and folk-group entertainment fill the waterfront. The setting helps: the bay, the pastel houses of the quays and the citadel make an easy backdrop, and it suits families. Villefranche’s battle is a gentler cousin of the larger Carnaval de Nice, where a grandstand seat for the flower parades costs money.

Getting there

Villefranche-sur-Mer is about ten minutes east of Nice by TER train. The tourist-office listing strongly recommends public transport, and the train station is about 100 metres from the port, so the train from Nice is the easy choice. See our guide to getting around for the regional trains and buses.

If you drive, park early at Plage des Marinières, since traffic restrictions start from late morning.

Practical tips

Arrive by late morning. The quays open to pedestrians from 11:00, and the cafés along the Quai de l’Amiral Courbet face the port, so a table here gives you a good view.

Check the weather. The event is subject to favourable conditions and has been postponed for heavy rain in the past. Look at the Villefranche-sur-Mer agenda on the day.

Expect a bit of flower-throwing. Spectators sometimes throw blooms back at the boats, so leave anything delicate at home.

No booking needed. Entry is free and needs no reservation. Confirm the final date and timings on the official town site before you travel.