Carnival day in Limoux

The town of Limoux, close to Carcassonne, his well-known for a delicious specialty, called the blanquette de Limoux... which isn't at all a meal (blanquette d'agneau!), but a pleasant white sparkling wine, soft and fruity.
The blanquette is far older than champagne wine (centuries older, clearly).

It inspired Dom Pérignon, who brought back the method in his abbey.

Good reason for going wine-tasting from January to March: the longuest carnival in the world.
Good preparation for the wine festival "Toques et Clochers"...

This carnival exists till the 14th C. (at least).
Nowadays, bands and Pierrots (fécos) alternate in the streets, all the Saturdays & Sundays.
You can see one or two bands a day (check the online agenda). 3 times a day, they turn around the main place, stopping in 4 or 5 cafés or bistrots.

 

We saw this year the Marvels heroes and the world's people.
Not the most traditionnal and ancient bands!

The first one might seem racist - the representation of the Africans is certainly poorly old-fashionned. 

 The Scots men and the brit red-haired sorry with their empty glasses were good enough, though...

 

As for the Marvels... Wolverine and Supermum were ok,

but globally, the musicians attracted more attention. 

Good advice: if you go, rather try the afternoon (Fécos too),

the night (more solemn and dreamy),

and the Sunday (traditionnal bands). 

 And look well at the goudils... masked people, alone or in pairs/trios, following the musicians, and possibly gently causing trouble (free speech!).

 Or of the carnival... Limoux is a charming old town, with an old enough

(wise and knowledgeable...) population.
You can find funeral services next to your restaurant...

Don't worry, than bands don't go fooling in the coffins.

It's also resisting to the tourism-orientated cheap trends...

The second meaning of 'pigeon' is the same in french and english.

Let's consider the hotel owners kept the complete name considering the third meaning (sure technology of communication).