Hi everyone,
Let me introduce you to one of the many things that are famous about France; it's public holidays !
As you may no know or not, we have a lot of them during the year, I am therefore going to briefly explain to you their meaning.
Let's start with the begining of the year:
1. January
01/01:
In the January like most countries we have the New Year's day, obviously because we have to recover from the New Year's celebration.
2. April
Lundi de Pâques: first monday of the month
"Lundi de Pâques", means easter monday and is celabrated after the first Sunday of the month of April, which the easter Sunday.
It represents the renewal after the holy week that prepares to easter
In France "le Lundi de Pâques" is a day that you spend with your family and during which the mystical bell brings chocolate eggs that she hides in the garden. The children spend a part of their day looking for chocolates eggs and in the end they usually share their discovery with the other children.
3. May
May is kind of the month with the most public holidays, you'll see for yourself. Let's start with:
01/05: fête du travail
The first of May is a day that is celebrated in many countries. It's international day of struggle for workers' rights, it's also called "le fête du travail" or labour day. During this non working day its of use to buy lilly of the valley. They are different stories behind the meaning of the lilly of the valley, but both are related to the religion, but from both stories the flower remind of the tears either of Virgin Mary or from Eve.
08/05: Victory of the ally
This celebration is in reminder of the victory of the ally during the second world war, it's the reminder of the end of the war. Therefore, it's another non working day that is celebrated since 1953 due to a request of former resistants and deported.
The tradition is that the president leaves flowers and lit a fire on the grave of the unknown soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Jeudi de l'ascension:
Le Jeudi de l'ascension, is another religious celebration that celebrates the ascension of Jesus to Heaven which 40 days after easter. It's a celebration commemorated since the 4th century and it was initiated by the Pope Leon I the Great.
As good french people that we are, some schools, universities, firms... give the possibility to people to do "le pont", meaning: the bride. Since "le Jeudi de l'Ascension" happens on a thursday you can have the friday off as well. But not every institutions applys it.
Le lundi de Pentecôte:
Le lundi de Pentecôte is celebrated every year at the first monday of April and is a religious celebration. Eventhough, France and the church are not longer bond they were for hundred of years, consequently you can see it in most of our public holidays.
The Lundi de Pentecôte is celebrated 50 days after easter, which is the death of Jesus in the catholic religion. This day in particular commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit among the apostles. It's actually a public holiday since 1886 and is celebrated since the IV century. However in 2003, the government decided that this day was no longer a public holiday, until they changed their mind in 2008.
Apparently, we truly care about our public holidays.
4. July
14/07: national day
On the 14th of July, we celebrate the taking of the bastille, which represent the beginning of the french revolution, the end of the monarchy and the beginning of France as you know it.
To celebrates this day, you will have many events during the day. The first one is a military parade on the champs élysées with the president and many other important people. You will have various celebrations depending on the city, in Paris you will have a concert as well for instance.
However, on the 14/07 there is the traditional fireworks, they are waited all over the country and everybody is going on the best post to see it. In Paris, it is shoot from the Eiffel Tower, in the South of France it can be shoot above the sea so that you have the lights reflecting on the sea.
5. Août
15/08: Assumption
You also have a lot people doing a pilgrimage to major cities dedicated to the religion, such as Lourdes.
For the history and culture part, this celebration was first instigated by the catholic Church during the VI century. There is also a reason why this day is so important in France, it's because the revolution, the 15th of August was the National Day.
6. November
01/11 :
The 1st of November correspond to a celebration called: La Toussaint. La Toussaint celebrates all the Saint but also all the dead, it is often that you will see many people at the grave yard laying flowers on the grave. The flowers often laid on the graves are:
- Heather
- Chrysanthemum
- Immortal wreaths
This celebration is day during which family will gather together to celebrates the late one and to have a good time without to many arguments.
11/01: Armistice
The 11th of November is the day of the Armistice. This day is very particular for us because on the 11th of November 1918, a treaty was sign and it
allowed to end the 1st world war.
To celebrate this day, there is in all of the cities and villages of France a parade with musician and military people. During this day, we commemorates the people who died on the battelfield and those who fought.
In 1922, the 11th of November become a public holidays and people don't work this day.
7. December
25/12: Christmas
Usually we open the presents on the morning of Christmas and then we have a family meal. The dish are very different according to the families, some will eat turkey with chestnuts other have their own traditions. For instance, coming from a big family, my parents decided that on Christmas we will eat a Raclette, which is a french dish with cheese, potatoes and charcuterie. It's very easy to prepare and to eat and it's perfect for a winter family gathering.
Thank you for reading, hope you liked it :)
Dates très importantes de notre calendrier expliquées avec délicatesse et choix parfait des photos
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