NICE, France (CNN) -- During the Belle Epoque, at the beginning of this century, Nice's Carnaval was widely considered the best in the world, which just goes to show that 700 years' experience (and some prime real estate on the Riviera) doesn't hurt when you're throwing a party.

A hundred years later, the band -- and floats and masked revelers -- marches on, in what is still one of the most renowned Carnaval celebrations in the world.

The Promenade des Anglais hosts much of the party -- particularly a series of parades known as the Bataille des Fleurs. More than 1,000 musicians, dancers, children and revelers in giant papier-maché masks take to the famed waterfront street. More astounding still is the procession of floats laden with fresh, local flowers.

While the parades are free, you can improve your view by paying 50 Francs (US $9)to get closer to the street or 100 FF (US $18) to get into the stands.

While the festival officially culminates on Shrove Tuesday -- with the burning of an effigy of King Carnaval -- the Niçois don't care to call off the party quite so soon, and many cultural events continue through the first week of Lent.