Flowery Naval Combat in Villefranche-sur-Mer

The “Combat Naval Feuri” is a flower carnival which takes place on the Villefranche-sur-Mer’s harbor promenade, both on land and at sea. It is held every year in mid-February to celebrate the coming of spring, and thousands of carnations and mimosas color the city red and yellow.

Blomster søkamp Villlefranche-sur-Mer — *Pointus boat and the “fishermen” in traditional costume – ©Ville de Villefranche-sur-Mer*

History of Combat Naval Fleuri

This event has been taking place in Villefranche-sur-Mer since 1902. It is inspired by the first carnival festivals on the Côte-d’Azur.

The first battle of flowers took place in Nice, on the Promenade des Anglais, in 1876, and other towns on the coast developed similar local events to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Villefranche-sur-Mer didn’t want to stay behind the other cities and decided to do it better and differently!

With the sea and flowers as natural elements and symbols of economic activity of the time, we were to witness, for the very first time, a battle with flowers on the waves of the Mediterranean.

The flower-decorated “pointus” boats

Every year, many Villefranche families come with their “pointus” boats to immortalize this more than century-old festival. The “fishermen” are dressed in the traditional Provençal fishing clothes and the boats will pass near the harbor quay during a spectacular, flowerful naval battle.

“Pointus” are small, old fishing boats that today are part of France’s cultural heritage, and they are maintained with loving care and traditional know-how. They evoke happy childhood memories for some and flashbacks to memorable fishing trips for others.

The pointus boats are thus passed down from generation to generation as a reminder of a unique fishing culture.

And although they are no longer used for their primary vocation, fishing, they have become a formidable tool for conveying the soul of the Mediterranean.

Come to Villefranche-sur-Mer and experience the boats’ colorful decorations and creative decorations with carnations and mimosas, the natural flowers of the region.

The Combat Naval Fleuri is the perfect opportunity to show the locals and tourists of the Riviera these boats, which are part of the Mediterranean heritage.

Photo gallery from the Flowery Naval Combat in Villefranche-sur-Mer

©Ville de Villefranche-sur-Mer

©ville de Villefranche-sur-Mer

©Ville de Villefranche-sur-Mer

©ville de Villefranche-sur-Mer

©Ville de Villefranche-sur-Mer

Program for Combat Naval Fleuri

The day offers entertainment from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with folklore groups and a musical show around the Citadel of Villefranche-sur-Mer, as well as a flower walk in the city.

The main program looks like this:

13.30 – Carnival parade – Port de la Santé.
14.00 – The sea battle starts, and the fishermen throw flowers at the spectators – Port de la Santé.
14.00 – Folklore entertainments – Place Amélie Pollonnais.

Villefranche-sur-Mer homepage (with Combat Naval Fleuri)

Access and parking

By train: SNCF station is located just 100 meters from the events.

With bus 80 from Nice or Monaco.

By car, it is advisable to park before 10.30 am at Marinières beach parking (free parking space with 400 spaces). NOTE! You can only leave the car park after the event has ended (approximately 6pm).

Finally, it is recommended to walk along the coastal path from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Villefranche-sur-Mer restaurants and hotels

Eat and stay well in Villefranche-sur-Mer. Find exactly what suits you in the overview here: