Myth or fact: French holidays and traditions
Is 14 juillet just about the Bastille? Do the French eat crêpes on 2 February? Is Halloween big in France? Judge eight claims about the French calendar.
- A2
- 8 claims
- Vrai ou faux ?
- Learn this in the A2 notebook →
In short
The French calendar has its own rituals: la galette des rois in January, crêpes for la Chandeleur on 2 February, paper fish on 1 April, lily of the valley (le muguet) on 1 May, free music everywhere on 21 June, and the national holiday on 14 July.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
Vrai ou faux ? Decide before you see the verdict.
People eat crêpes on 2 February.
C'est la Chandeleur !
VraiVrai. La Chandeleur is crêpe day. Tradition says you flip one holding a coin for luck.
On 1 April, children stick paper fish on people's backs.
Poisson d'avril !
VraiVrai. April fool's is le poisson d'avril, and the paper fish is the classic prank.
Halloween is a major French tradition.
Halloween
FauxFaux. It's known, especially in shops and among children, but it's small. On 1 November (la Toussaint), families visit graves with chrysanthemums.
On 1 May, people give lily of the valley for luck.
un brin de muguet
VraiVrai. Le muguet is sold everywhere on 1 May, including by individuals on the street, by tolerance.
The 14 July only commemorates the storming of the Bastille.
la fête nationale
FauxFaux. The 1880 law chose the date, which also recalls the Fête de la Fédération of 14 July 1790, a celebration of national unity.
The galette des rois is eaten in January.
Qui a eu la fève ?
VraiVrai. Around Epiphany (6 January) and through the month. Whoever finds the fève is king or queen for the day.
On 21 June, musicians can play in the street for free.
la Fête de la musique
VraiVrai. Since 1982, amateurs and professionals play outdoors on the longest day, and concerts are free.
French families open Christmas presents on Boxing Day.
le réveillon
FauxFaux. Presents are opened on the evening of 24 December or the morning of the 25th. Boxing Day isn't a holiday in most of France.
What to take away
Many traditions are a reason to share food: le réveillon (Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve dinners), la galette at the office in January, crêpes at home in February. Learn the greetings too: Joyeux Noël, Bonne année, Bonne fête !
C'est moi qui ai eu la fève, je suis la reine !
I got the charm, I'm the queen!
- Bonne Noël !Joyeux Noël !
Noël takes joyeux.
- Poisson d'avril sur le 1 avrille 1er avril
Write le 1er avril (premier).