Which Christian festival is the Nice Carnival linked to?

The Nice Carnival has been held annually since the 14th century, 12 days before the Christian festival of Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, and which occurs 40 days before Easter (excluding Sundays). During this period, various performances and festivities succeed one another on a 2-km stretch of the town. Floats, cavalcades, masked balls, floral processions, confetti showers and dancing in the streets are the carnival highlights. The main Battle of Flowers is on the day after Ash Wednesday. The carnival ends with a grand fireworks display on Shrove Tuesday.