French Life: Traditions and Celebrations

From Mardi Gras carnivals at Nice and Granville to medieval pageants at Carcassonne; from the international fireworks festival at Cannes to the international gastronomic fair at Dijon; from fêtes foraines (fun-fairs) to harvest festivals – conviviality is an integral part of French life.

France’s first national Fête de la Musique was held in 1982 and has become an annual event, with free concerts in every big town on June 21st. And throughout the summer months, music festivals take place all over France: world-famous jazz festivals at Juan-les-Pins, Grenobles, Nice and Coutances; baroque, classical, opera and dance at Beaunes, Aix-en-Provence, Orange and Avignon; while Brittany has a thriving tradition of Fest Noz – festivals of Celtic music and dancing.

Foires and Fêtes
Regional gastronomic specialities are at the heart of many colourful local fêtes. Autumn in Normandy is fragrant with apple and cider festivals, the best-known of all being Vimoutiers’ Foire de la Pomme. There are famous black pudding festivals (Mortagne-aux-Perches, Cholet), andouille festivals (Val d’Ajol, Vire), sausage festivals (Morteau, Grenade), countless wine and grape festivals, cheese festivals, bread festivals, chocolate festivals and more.

Christmas
Christmas Day in France is a family occasion first and foremost, generally celebrated at home with a special meal. Père Noël, or Papa Noël, brings presents for the children. In the run-up to Christmas, towns and villages are prettily decorated with trees and lights, and many hold Christmas markets. But Christmas is not a time of wild partying or extravagant spending, and the custom of sending Christmas cards barely exists. There is no Boxing Day in France; the 25th is a national holiday, but it’s business as usual on 26th.

New Year
In many French families, the time for giving presents, sending cards, holding parties and going out for festive meals is not Christmas but New Year’s Eve, known as Saint-Sylvestre.

The 14th July
Without question, France’s biggest national extravaganza is what the British often call Bastille Day, but the French refer to as ‘le quatorze juillet’. Festivities start on the evening of 13th, with truly spectacular firework displays all over France and partying that is likely to continue all night and into the next day. The 14th is a national holiday, when even shops that opened on Christmas Day will almost certainly be closed. Many towns arrange fêtes, parades and all manner of street entertainments, sometimes a whole week of events. If you’re in France at this time, it’s well worth finding out what’s happening near you and going along. France’s 14th July celebrations are not to be missed.

National holidays in France differ from UK bank holidays. In most communes the Pompiers (emergency services) produce a calendar to raise funds; a Pompiers calendar will ensure you’re never caught unawares by a national holiday – and by buying one, you’ll be contributing to a very worthy cause.

Holidays in France

National holidays in France