At Carnival Biarnés, you can meet Saint Porquin (the pig, symbol of man's bestiality), the innocent bear (symbol of pre-Christian man), Caresme (symbol of the Lent period) and Saint Pançard (a burlesque character with a big nose, big belly and strings of sausages around his neck), symbolising man's perverse nature and greed.

Carnival begins with the day of the Chandeleur (and the chance to scoff pancakes) and culminates on Mardi Gras, with the burning of the disgusting Saint-Pançard and the purification of the soul. Crowds 30,000 strong take part in the festival, which involves everything from bonfires to dressing up and chasing pigs.

During the Fête de la Chandeleur visitors can eat pancakes and join the procession of locals dressed up as female bears and baby bears, a symbol that the winter's hibernation is over and spring has begun.

On Pig Saturday, Saint Porquin is celebrated with a pig race. In the evening, a gourmet meal (there's only 550 places, so book in advance) is served up - consisting exclusively of pork. On Mad Saturday, greedy Saint Pançard leads the procession.

Finally, Mardi Gras itself features a cathartic bonfire (the burning of Saint Pancard), and the people of Pau are freed from evil and all the perversity symbolised by the carnival character.