France is a country steeped in rich cultural traditions, and its calendar is filled with holidays that reflect its history, values, and way of life. Each holiday has its own unique customs and significance.
French holidays are deeply intertwined with the country’s Christian religious heritage, culinary traditions, and significant historical events.
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Holidays related to French History
Labor Day (May 1st): Public holiday in honor of workers, originating in the struggle for the eight-hour day.
Victory of 1945 (May 8): Commemoration of the end of the Second World War in Europe, with official ceremonies.
National Holiday (July 14): Celebration of the storming of the Bastille in 1789, marked by a military parade down the Champs-Élysées in Paris, fireworks displays and popular dances.
Armistice of 1918 (November 11): Commemoration of the end of the First World War, with official ceremonies.
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Holidays related to the Christian religion
Easter Monday (date varies, in March or April): Christian festival marking the resurrection of Jesus, with family meals and the traditional egg hunt.
Ascension Day (date varies, 40 days after Easter): Christian festival celebrating Jesus’ ascension into heaven, often a public holiday with a long weekend.
Pentecost Monday (date varies, 50 days after Easter): Another Christian holiday, often associated with family reunions. It celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.
Assumption (August 15): Catholic holiday celebrating the Virgin Mary’s elevation to heaven, often the occasion for vacations and family gatherings.
All Saints’ Day (November 1): Christian holiday in honor of all the saints, marked by visits to the cemetery to honor the dead.
Christmas (December 25): Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus, often the occasion for festive family meals, gift-giving and decorations.
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Gourmet traditions related to the Christian religion
Epiphany (January 6): This Christian feast commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to the Christ Child. In France, it is celebrated by the tasting of the “galette des rois” in many regions. It can be made with puff pastry and frangipane, or with flavored brioche. A bean is hidden inside, and whoever finds it is crowned king or queen for the day. We continue to eat galettes throughout January.
Mardi Gras (date varies, in February or March): Mardi Gras marks the eve of the start of Lent, a period of fasting and deprivation for Christians. It’s a very colorful and festive festival, where food, especially beignets, crêpes and cakes are at the heart of the celebrations.
Candlemas (February 2): Candlemas is a festival celebrating the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Pancakes are traditionally eaten, symbolizing light and the sun. Pancakes are sautéed in a frying pan, and a little jam and sugar are often used to accompany them.
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Other holidays and traditions in France
New Year’s Day (January 1): Celebration of the New Year, marked by meals with loved ones and festivities.
Carnival (date varies, usually in February or March): joyous celebrations, often marked by parades and masquerade costume, especially in Nice or Dunkirk.
Music Day (June 21): an event where free concerts are held all over France to celebrate music.
Grape Harvest and Wine Festivities (September-October): Particularly celebrated in wine-growing regions such as Bordeaux, Beaune and Beaujolais, this festival marks the harvesting of grapes and the start of wine production. The wine festivities, with tastings and typical meals, are very popular.
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