Saintes,January 1,2026 – A slight chill in the air didn’t dampen the spirits of thousands who lined the streets of saintes yesterday evening for the annual New Year’s Eve Cavalcade,though a late start due to logistical challenges briefly threatened the festivities. The parade, a beloved tradition, featured dazzling floats, energetic performers, adn a shower of confetti, officially kicking off the new year in style.
A Slight Delay, But High Spirits Prevail
The 64th annual Cavalcade experienced a 15-minute delay due to a lack of barriers along the route, causing a temporary bottleneck.
“We lacked barriers along the route,” explained the parade president, acknowledging the initial hiccup. “There were a lot of people, we found ourselves stuck. We weren’t able to move as quickly as we had planned with the goodie car.” Despite the delay, the event proceeded with enthusiasm, distributing approximately 10,000 gifts to the eager crowd, including confetti, light sticks, and branded apparel. Over 1.8 tonnes of confetti rained down on the spectators, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.
New Queen and Dazzling Displays
Leading the parade was Clara Nuttin, the newly crowned Queen of New Year’s Eve 2025, a 16-year-old high school student from Saintes. Accompanied by her princesses, Alycia Lépine and Orlane Tondeur, Nuttin greeted the audience with a shy smile as the procession began its descent from Cours National-Michel-Baron around 9:05 p.m.
- The 64th annual New Year’s Eve Cavalcade took place in Saintes.
- A temporary delay occurred due to logistical issues with parade barriers.
- Clara Nuttin was presented as the Queen of New Year’s Eve 2025.
- Over 1.8 tonnes of confetti were distributed to the enthusiastic crowd.
Despite the chilly -1°C temperature (feeling like -5°C), the crowd remained energetic and engaged, capturing the spectacle with their smartphones. “we prefer it to be cold rather than rain,” remarked Angélique Peyredieu, the president of the Carnival Association, highlighting the community’s resilience and festive spirit.
