The Bearn carnival Sent Pançard makes a comeback!

Sent Pançard, our “Monsieur Carnaval”, makes his grand return to Béarn after setting off from Ansó in Aragon and crossing the Pyrenees! He and his fine team will be wreaking havoc in the capital of Béarn! Dances, street theater, dances, songs, parades, cremations… Béarn tradition takes on festive colors. So get dressed up (or don’t!), have fun and enjoy these festive days!

February 27 to March 2, 2025 Carnaval "Biarnès"... for close friends!

Çò qu'ei carnaval biarnés? What is the Béarn carnival?

Carnaval Biarnés is one of the 5 biggest carnivals in France! Its carnival king is none other than Sent Pançard, the man of a thousand sausages and other delicacies, the greedy king of the carnival timpona, always accompanied by his wife Carronha, who remains in her husband’s shadow but pulls all the strings. As for Quarèsma, she is the incarnation of Lent, the puritan… Many other characters are part of the procession: bears heralding the return of spring and vitality, gendarmes, judges, palhassas… This troupe escorts Sent Pançard in his “sinful” ascent, which will lead him to be judged and then taken to the stake, to be finally burned in the public square!

Discover

PARLEZ-VOUS CARNAVAL?

Lo crespèth: The carnival doughnut
Dançarau son de la boca: To dance to a song
Pleà’s la fiòla: To stuff oneself
Hartèra tà tots: The wind of madness that blows over Pau, the carnival slogan!
Monaca: The papier-mâché doll from Sent Pançard to the stake

Carnaval biarnès... Keep the party going!

In keeping with the purest tradition, our carnival is first and foremost a time for sharing and coming together around a strong, authentic and lively identity! Every year, the ” Carnaval Pantalonada ” association brings this Pyrenean carnival back to life, as part of our priceless intangible cultural heritage. Housed in La Ciutat (the village), in the heart of the Hédas district, it’s here that over 200 volunteers bring this festival to life, with numerous workshops for costume preparation, song, theater and dance… Open to all, don’t hesitate to push open the door to share (and participate!) in the preparation of the event.

"Stay! " 2025 theme

A pagan festival, Carnaval Biarnès is punctuated by numerous ritual stages, codes, decorations and holia (madness)!

La nueit de l’ors / the night of the bear: The ors (bears) emerge from their lairs to meet the famous Rosetas (young, mischievous girls played by men). The caçadors (hunters) get in the way. Finally, the orsatérs (bear tamers) make them dance! A moment of madness guaranteed.

Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 7.30pm to 1am
Square Aragon, then stroll to Hédas

Sèga e serada de Carronha : Sent Pançard enters the city and strolls through the historic quarters, entertained by traditional dancers and musicians. Sèga (street theater: the notables’ barricade to prevent carnival-goers from entering the city), concerts in honor of Carronha and balls are on the program.

Friday, February 28, 2025 from 7pm to 1:45am
From Place de la Déportation to Place Récaborde in Hédas

Grand dia de Carnaval: Presentation of the keys to the town hall, grand parade through town of Sent Pançard carried in triumph, followed by his trial and cremation to music. Fire shows, brass bands, balls and concerts keep you entertained into the night! It’s THE day not to be missed for a family introduction to carnival!

Saturday, March 1, 4pm to 1:45am
From Place Royale (Pau town hall) to Place Récaborde (Hédas district)

Dimenge gormand – Lo Mercat / Dimanche gourmand – Le marché : Gourmets will be delighted to meet up with you, with a smile on their faces, to sample the finest local produce. On the program: sales of delicacies, food and drink, as well as a cantèra (choir) with its Gascony polyphonic songs, a concert and a ball to close this edition.

Sunday, March 2, 9:30am to 5:00pm
Big top on Place Récaborde in Hédas

Discover the event

E entaus mainatges? And what about the kids?

Carnaval biarnès is a story of transmission, a heritage that perpetuates Béarn traditions from generation to generation.

On Thursday February 20, join us in Parc Beaumont for Carnav’escòlas, the school carnival.
Disguised children parade to music all the way to Parc Tissié for a giant picnic and the trial of Monsieur Carnaval.
On Saturday March 1, it’s the Grand dia de Carnaval for family fun: fire-eaters, jugglers, a costume parade, the cremation of Sent Pançard to the sound ofAdiu Praube Carnaval, not forgetting the famous crespèths!