TEB 1A- Ch. 5B-Les Fêtes en France- BASIC Culture/Descriptions

Le Jour de l'an

-visit family

-exchange gifts with adults

-send out New Year's cards

La Fête des rois

-Galette de Rois (King's cake)

-fève (figurine) hidden inside

-crown for person who finds it

-unofficial end of the Christmas holiday season

La Fête de la chandeleur

-make crêpes

-hold coin in one hand and flip crêpe (good fortune)

Saint Valentin

-only for couples

-similar traditions (Flowers, dinner, candy)

Le Mardi Gras

-last day before Lent

-some cities have parades, masked balls

-some schools allow children to dress up in costumes

Poisson d'Avril

-day of pranks and jokes

-children tape paper fish to people's back and yell "Poisson d'Avril"

Le Dimanche de Pâques

-religious/Catholic origin (resurrection of Jesus)

-church bells ring out on Sunday morning

-children are told the church bells fly back bringing them candy & eggs

La Fête du Travail

- bunches of Muguet (lilies of the valley) are given

-labor unions hold demonstrations

La Fête de la Victoire

-commemorates end of WWII in Europe

-ceremonies at local WWII monuments

-laying of wreath at tomb of Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

La Fête de la Musique

-free festival held around cities and towns on June 21st (summer solstice)

-professional concerts in large cities, other venues organized by towns, amateurs can play anywhere they want

La Fête Nationale

-commemorates the taking of the Bastille prison Paris in 1789

- military honor parade held on the Champs Elysées in Paris

-dances held in fire-stations in towns

-fireworks in towns & cities

L'Assomption

-religious holiday only

-some churches have procession after mass

La Toussaint

-school children have a 2 week vacation

-some families may clean/decorate graves

-chrysanthemums are the flower often used

Le Jour de L'Armistice

-same day as our Veteran's Day

-people wear poppies (red) or bluets (blue) flowers

-commemorates end of WWI

-ceremonies at local WWI monuments

-laying of wreath at tomb of Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

Noël

-large meal (sometimes after church) called the Réveillon on CHRISTMAS EVE

-Gifts from Père Noël in shoes and under tree

-crèche (nativity) very important

La Saint Sylvestre

-typically spent with friends and family

-looong, late meal, also called the Réveillon

- fireworks in come parts of the country