Carnival time in Limoux (south of Carcassonne)

It lasts longer than Rio. It follows stricter codes than Venice. And performers and spectators are never further than a confetti-throw from a bar offering bubbly Blanquette de Limoux.

This year the carnival runs from 27 January until 7 April. Three times a day every weekend - plus Mardi Gras - the medieval arcades around the central square resonate to the beat of the drum and the sound of brass and woodwind.

But preceding the band are the dancers - different groups every day - wearing a dazzling array of costumes from the traditional to the downright ridiculous. Whatever they are wearing, they love confetti!

They've been at it for 400 years, and I'll be back on 7 April for the last night - La Nuit de la Blanquette - a torchlight procession ending with the ceremonial burning of the Carnival King, followed by large quantities of bubbly Blanquette de Limoux.

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