Pont-Saint-Martin Carnival

Since 1910, Pont-Saint-Martin has enjoyed the commemoration of an historical event with echoes of ancient legends.

The historical part recalls the defeat of the Salassi by the Romans and allows the past-losers the possibility of a return match, in a "chariot race", which again pits the local population against the invaders. Another part of the Carnival takes its inspiration from the legend of the "Nymph" of the Lys, the mountain stream that crosses the town. According to the legend, she was indignant with the townspeople and swelled the stream, intending to destroy the town, but when she reached the Roman bridge, with her stream in flood,

she was persuaded by the implorations of the people, to relent and pass through without causing damage. Then, on the evening of Shrove Tuesday, an effigy of the Devil is hung from the single arch of the bridge - which according to another legend was built by him, and relates to the visit to the village by Saint Martin de Tours - and is burnt in spectacular fashion. Playing the part of the Nymph is an honour which the young girls in the town remember all their life.

site of the Pont-Saint-Martin Carnival