Les Fêtes

janvier

Le 1er—le Nouvel An

févrierLe 2--La Chandeleur (crêpe day)

Used to be “Candlemas” Tradition is to hold a gold coin in

your writing hand and the crêpe pan in the other. If the crêpe lands in your pan when you flip it, your family will have a good year.Le 14--La St. Valentin

Mardi

Gras

En février ou mars

• Fat Tuesday• Mardi Gras is celebrated

more in the US than in France. It came to us when the French settled New Orleans, Louisiana.

• The purpose of Mardi Gras is to party and feast before the solemn season of Lent begins.

En mars ou avrilPâques

• Easter is celebrated 40 days (not including Sundays) after Ash Wednesday, the day after Mardi Gras.

• On Good Friday the church bells are silent. Children are told they have flown to Rome to see the Pope.

• When the bells return on Easter day, they bring decorated eggs and chocolate back with them.

avrilLe 1er--Poisson d’avril• April Fools Day is called

“Poisson D’Avril• The origins of the

tradition are unknown, but kids put paper fish, like “kick me” signs on peoples’ backs and play other tricks.

• Chocolate in the shape of fish is a popular treat.

maiLe 1er—Le Muguet• Lily of the Valley day—people

give lily of the valley plants to friends and family

• This is the date of Labor Day in Europe.La Fête des Mères• In France, Mother’s Day is

the last Sunday in May; it’s the 2nd Sunday in May in US.

juinSchool ends• High school “seniors” must take a

difficult exam called Le Bac in order to go to college; some schools go as late as the beginning of July.

La Fête des Pères• In France, Father’s Day is

celebrated the 3rd Sunday in June.

juilletLe 4—la Fête Nationale américaineLe 14—la Fête Nationale française—

Bastille Day Le 14 juillet 1789 peasants stormed the

Bastille for weapons to fight against the monarchy (Louis 16).

Because of many political, social and religious problems and the overspending of Louis 14 & 15, the majority of the French were in poverty, causing them to revolt.

The revolution continued for 5 years, but this date marks the downfall of the monarchy and the beginning of the revolution.

It is celebrated with parades. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v

=wXsZbkt0yqo

aoûtLes Vacances• Most French

people take a month of vacation, usually in August. Many small businesses close during this time.

septembreLa Rentrée• School resumes in septembre, after les

vacances.

octobreLe 31 octobre—l’Halloween• The French celebrate by decorating

pumpkins, eating candy and dressing in costume for parties. They do not “Trick or Treat.”

novembreLe 1er—La Toussaint

All Saints’ Day is a day for French people to remember deceased family and loved ones with a church service or by taking chrysanthemums to the cemetary.

La Toussaint falls within the school fall holiday, so many people take a short vacation or visit family.

décembreLe 25—Noël The French also celebrate le St.

Nicolas (le 6 décembre) by putting out shoes to be filled with candy.

Santa is called Père Noël. He rides a donkey.

Many people attend midnight mass, then have a huge dinner called “le Réveillon.

A very common dessert is La Bûche de Noël or Yule Log cake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwAnG8k1bC4