The arrival of spring typically means goodbye to snowstorms and cold weather in Canada. But here in Nancy, it is much more significant than just a change in the season.
Today I will be introducing different parts of Nancy in spring.
Blooming flowers and greens are major traits that emerge in spring. They brighten up the atmosphere in the city, bringing refreshing scents and beautiful petals that float by in the wind.
So how does that differ from the spring we usually see in Canada? Well, in Canada, natural areas are huge and open and beautiful like a baseball stadium, whereas in France, natural areas are much smaller, and act as colourful accents that add so much beauty to the city
You can see the differences in spring by looking how it affects the university campus. At Carleton, just like in Canada, we’re know for having abundant natural beauty, like the rivers, trees and green grass that fill up the all the space in between buildings.
In Nancy, the campus looks a bit different. Buildings are usually flat, short and compressed. Most are in the European tradition and are about three stories tall, and being so tightly packed together gives the campus a maze-like system of roads. Nature comes into play by adding a dramatic make up to the city. Just like what cosmetics do, the nature brings out the French city by just the right amount of shade and colour.
On a sunny day, from time to time, I would go to a coffee shop in downtown, sit down, relax, and just admire the natural highlights to the old stone-paved roads and tall European-styled buildings. These decorations can range from vines of ivy climbing up old stone buildings to window-side gardens that brighten up the streets. The decorations make the streets look entirely different and walking around feels like being in an entirely new place.
April is the time of sunny skies and brings the perfect weather for outdoor activities. In Nancy, the season also marks the arrival of the Spring Carnival!
It is an American-style carnival, offering rides, attractions, food stands, and carnival games. It is located near the north of downtown Nancy on a large area called the Allee Arlette Gruss.
It’s an open area between two streets that consists of parking areas and a small square. The area is shaped like a long rectangle, so it takes around 10 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the other end of the square. Having such vast area is perfect for a temporary carnival site.
In March, large trucks come in to set up the entire carnival. Just seeing the half-built rides and empty stores fills your heart with delightful anticipation.
Once the set up was complete, the place was immediately crowded with people who were looking forward for this event: locals, families, and us, the students. The rides are mostly like ones you would see in an amusement park, such as roller coasters, bumper cars, and a haunted house.
Out of all the rides, the ferris wheel seemed to be the key attraction, as it is very eye-catching and can be seen from far away. It is tall enough to see a magnificent view of the entire city.
The food stands offer many different kinds of foods, like the ready-to-eat kebabs that are great as a quick lunch between class, as well as many sweet treats like freshly-baked macaroons or delicious ice creams. The macaroons are very popular and people wait in line to order at almost any time of the day.
The school I attend is located just around the corner of Allee Arlette Gruss. Being located so close to the carnival site, it is hard to kick aside the sweet temptation to walk over and grab a few bites of that delicious food. Seeing so many people having a great time and enjoying the carnival pulls you automatically to go join the fun as well.
The carnival is such a wonderful event. Even with the language difference, you can still feel the warmth and the liveliness of the city. The Nancy Spring Carnival was definitely a unique carnival, having the original atmosphere mixed with the French culture. It was a wonderful experience that I would love to revisit if I have a chance next year.