The procession started at the Stad Linite, Roche Caïman, at 2pm and headed into the town centre – pausing along the way to perform for the thousands who lined the streets.

Among those taking part were a team from the United Kingdom’s Notting Hill Carnival, who were greeted enthusiastically for their extravagant costumes, and other countries represented included Reunion, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Russia, India, Tanzania-Zanzibar and many more.

Answering Seychelles Tourism Board chief executive Alain St Ange’s call to come down in large numbers, there were huge crowds of people all along the road from Roche Caïman to Victoria.

The float teams then paused at the National Library to perform for President James Michel and the other dignitaries who had come  to Seychelles for the carnival.

The procession went on until late in the evening – there were still some floats going by Independence House after 5pm, with the last spot being taken by La Digue with its traditional oxcart and brightly dressed islanders.

After the event, many people stayed in town to be entertained by the various groups of musicians and performers, and sample the wide range of food on offer, until the early hours of the morning.

Highlights of the float procession are depicted in our selection of photos taken by our photographers Patrick Joubert and Joena Bonnelame.