LE CALENDRIER DES FÊTESL

Le jour de l’an⦿ Quand: le premier janvier⦿ On dit: Bonne année! Bonne santé!⦿ La coûtume: Les grands-parents

donnent un peu d’argent aux petits-enfants.

La fête des rois⦿ Quand: le six janvier⦿ On dit: Joyeuse fête des rois!⦿ La coûtume: French people typically eat

une galette des rois and the person who finds une fève in their slice of cake hosts the next party up until mardi gras. That person is the king or queen for the day.

Mardi gras⦿ Quand: en février ou mars⦿ La coûtume: This is typically celebrated

more in America than France but some French people still enjoy this day as Le Carnaval where they dress up in costumes and eat, sing and dance with parades in the streets. It’s always 40 days before Easter.

Le Poisson d’avril⦿ Quand: le premier avril⦿ On dit: Poisson d’avril!⦿ La coûtume: On fait des blagues. All

day long, the French put paper fish on people’s backs to make them look like fools.

la fête de Pâques⦿ Quand: un dimanche en mars ou avril⦿ On dit: Joyeuses Pâques!⦿ La coûtume: Children look for colorful

eggs hidden around their yard and house and eat chocolate eggs, bunnies and bells. They play games like egg rolling and egg tossing.

La fête nationale⦿ Quand: le quatorze juillet⦿ On dit: Joyeux quatorze juillet!⦿ La coûtume: The French celebrate their

unity after the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris during the French Revolution. There are parades and fireworks to celebrate their freedom.

La fête de Saint Nicolas⦿ Quand: le six décembre⦿ On dit: Joyeuse fête de Saint Nicolas!⦿ La coûtume: French children put their

shoes by the door or fireplace in the hopes that Père Noël will fill them with candy if they’ve been good. If they’ve been bad, Père Fouettard visits them and whips them.

⦿ Quand: le six décembre⦿ On dit: Joyeuse fête de Saint Nicolas!⦿ La coûtume: French children put their

shoes by the door or fireplace in the hopes that Père Noël will fill them with candy if they’ve been good. If they’ve been bad, Père Fouettard visits them and whips them.

Le Noël⦿ Quand: le vingt-cinq décembre⦿ On dit: Joyeux Noël!⦿ La coûtume: The French go to midnight

mass on Christmas eve followed by a huge family meal. Often times they eat a bûche de Noël. They give little gifts and enjoy the day with their family.

La date de naissance⦿ Quand: C’est quand ton anniversaire?⦿ On dit: Joyeux anniversaire!⦿ La coûtume: The French give small gifts

that are usually store-wrapped. Girls receive flowers. They enjoy a large meal with friends and family. Instead of a cake, they usually eat a fruit tarte.

Fête du prénom ⦿ On dit: Bonne fête! ⦿ La coûtume: Like a second birthday, the

French celebrate your name day (the day in which a saint shares the same name as you). They give the person a small gift and wish them a happy day.

⦿ You might find your name at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_days_in_France