Holidays in France. National holidays in France Holidays in May in France

France! This is perhaps one of the most mysterious, beautiful and desirable countries. When you hear the word “France”, countless images appear in your head, each of which is already a piece of this remarkable land: the melodic murmur of the French language, the divine voice of Edith Piaf, the intimate crunch of a croissant, a bottle of unique Burgundy, a bottle of the eternal Chanel No. 5, the brave Jeanne D "Arc and reckless D" Artagnan...

France, like all other countries, has its own history, its own culture, traditions and customs. But there is something that has absorbed all this, thereby creating a kind of mirror in which culture, history, and traditions are reflected. We will, of course, talk about the holidays.

Holidays in France are a unique phenomenon. Their uniqueness lies in the variegated diversity and combination of provincial cultures, the origins of which go back to antiquity and the Middle Ages.

There are dozens of large cities and hundreds of small villages in France. Each of these places has its own traditional holidays and festive culture. The French zealously observe the traditions of their regions, which carry with them a separate uniqueness and originality. These holidays include religious celebrations of saints, ancient carnivals, and festivals.

As you probably guessed, each province has its own traditions and subtleties, be it a special variety of flowers for one of the summer carnivals, or homemade Beaujolais for a wine festival. Things are simpler with holidays and gifts for them during national holidays. Among them are serious political dates, traditional French religious celebrations, and unofficial holidays.

Each province has its own holiday calendar, containing so many similar folk festivals that celebrations occur almost every weekend. The French generally like to relax and thoroughly celebrate both the founding day of their city and the day of the local horse breed. The main thing is to have your own identity, the cultural exclusivity of the holiday in your own province, delicious food and, of course, wine.

In the art of relaxing rather than working, the French are ahead of everyone else. Therefore, be prepared for such a national peculiarity if you happen to encounter this culture. The main attributes of the holiday are gifts. In this regard, it is difficult to beat the French in the variety of cute and pleasant things.

The Lily of the Valley holiday is celebrated in France on May 1st. On this day, lilies of the valley are sold everywhere, given to each other, and kept, as it is believed that the lily of the valley flower brings happiness.

Previously, in France there were beliefs that it was on May 1 that plants and objects acquired beneficial magical properties. Dew collected on May 1 before sunrise was especially valued, as it was believed to soften the skin and prevent skin diseases.

An indispensable detail of all May rituals was a tree, tree branches, bouquets with a special meaning. As a sign of friendship, respect and love, hawthorn, oak and poplar were given, holly was given to girls with a bad character, and an elderberry branch was intended for a lazy person.

May 7th is the Parrot Festival in Haute-Garonne. This holiday brings together about 40 archers dressed in medieval clothes. They are trying to hit a seven-kilogram parrot with a bow, hoisted on top of a 45-meter mast. The shooter who manages to shoot down the parrot will become the king of the holiday.

May 16-18 - a military-religious parade in the famous St. Tropez turns the city into a fortified camp for several days. Artillery salvoes alternate with musket shots. A procession of townspeople goes to the church, carrying in front the statue of Saint Trope. They are accompanied by a detachment of musketeers led by a captain. At the end of the procession, the musketeers treat everyone to vermouth and open the traditional game of boules.

May 4 - the first Sunday of March in France annually celebrates the holiday of grandmothers. On this day, all grandmothers and women over 55 years of age in general are given extraordinary honor and respect.

Good French grandmothers, who rarely resemble old ladies, dress up, drink liqueur, eat almond cake and, of course, receive gifts.

From year to year, French grandmothers are getting younger, half of them are just over fifty, and many continue to work actively. Apparently, this is why Grandmother's Day falls on Sunday.

Although most French grandmothers see their grandchildren at least once a week, and a third of them devote more than half of their free time to them, they look forward to "grandmother's day" when all their children and grandchildren get together. On this day, grandmothers expect flowers and gifts from their beloved grandchildren.

March 18 - Paris Commune Day is celebrated by the working people of the world to commemorate the victory of the first proletarian revolution on March 18, 1871.

The decision to celebrate March 18 as the first successful attempt by the workers to seize political power was made on February 20, 1872 by the General Council of the 1st International. On May 23, 1880, at the call of French socialist newspapers in Paris, the first procession to the Wall of the Communards took place at the Père Lachaise cemetery. Since then, every year on the last Sunday of May, rallies of Parisian workers are held at the Wall of the Communards.

During his stay in Paris, V.I. Lenin regularly participated in the traditional meeting. In Russia, until 1917, the Day of the Paris Commune was celebrated at illegal meetings of workers and revolutionary organizations; It was first widely celebrated after the Central Committee of the International Organization for Assistance to Fighters of the Revolution (IOPR) declared the Day of the Paris Commune as its holiday in March 1923.

If anyone has every right to have a lot of fun on April 1st, it’s the French, because according to the most common version, the whole world owes them the appearance of this holiday.

Until the 16th century, New Year celebrations took place at the end of March. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced a new calendar for the entire Christian world - the Gregorian calendar to replace the Julian calendar. According to the new rules, the New Year was moved to January 1. It was customary to have fun on this day in the Middle Ages, and news in those days spread very slowly (some did not receive it for several years), so people continued to celebrate the New Year from March 25th until April 1st. It is not surprising that those more knowledgeable made fun of them, gave them stupid gifts and called them “April people.” Mark Twain once said, “April Fools is the day we remember who we are the other 364 days of the year.”

In France, on April 1st you can meet people with fish on their backs. It can be made of paper, plastic, ceramics and other materials. Its main purpose is a joke.

“They joke about a fish” in the following way: a hook is attached to it, which is used to hook the “victim’s” clothes. Thus, the fish should dangle on its back unnoticed by the “caught”, amusing those around him. People go and don’t suspect that through the efforts of their friends or relatives they have become an “April fish”.

France differs from all other countries in one more feature - it celebrates the largest number of events dedicated to gastronomy. The French believe that a sense of taste and understanding of well-prepared food should be cultivated in people from childhood, like the ability to read.

You cannot ignore such an unusual date as the Chestnut Festival. The French value this product very much and consider it national. In France, a specific variety of chestnuts is grown - cougurdons.

At the end of October, the country is enveloped in the aroma of roasted chestnuts. They are prepared right on the street, the smell is captivating and impossible to pass by. No one can deprive themselves of the pleasure that a small bag of chestnuts contains. The unusual, unlike anything else taste of this delicacy is difficult to describe, but impossible to forget.

The main dishes of this day are all with chestnuts - salad with asparagus, scallops and chestnuts, risotto with shrimp and chestnuts, chocolate-chestnut mousse with orange marmalade.

This event is a continuation of the week of taste, which takes place in all regions of France, starting on the 3rd Monday of October. They take turns celebrating the Shukruta holiday, where you can try sauerkraut with sausages sprinkled with beer, the Spice Festival, the Cider Festival, and the Fish Festival.

No less interesting is such a French holiday as May 1 - Lumas Snail Carnival

His motto is to laugh well and scream to his heart's content. This is a carnival in honor of small snails that have medicinal properties.

The procession takes place in the city of Cluis (Indre department), led by a giant nine-meter-tall replica of the Snail King. Each year, different carnival themes are chosen. This year it is dedicated to La Fontaine's fables.

During the day, carnival participants and guests eat about 600,000 snails and drink 12,000 liters of wine.

Among the civil holidays, Victory Day in the Second World War (May 8) and Armistice Day in the First World War (November 11) are celebrated with solemn official ceremonies. Representatives of the authorities - prefects, chairmen of the general councils of departments, mayors lay wreaths at the foot of the monuments to the dead. In Paris, at the Eternal Flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe, the ceremony is led by the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister.

May 8, the day of the surrender of Nazi Germany, is celebrated in France as Victory Day over the common enemy - fascism.

In France, this day is declared a public holiday. Before each solemn ceremony, the Eternal Flame Committee verifies the details of the protocol with the Elysee Palace to the smallest detail. As a rule, heads of state simply lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, but President Jacques Chirac decided to add to the ceremony the rite of lighting the Eternal Flame together with young lyceum students, which other presidents had not done before.

All surviving veterans come to the ceremony. The President shakes hands with each of them. On this day, photographs and interviews of front-line soldiers adorn the pages of leading French newspapers, and they become heroes of television programs.

“Feasts of Fools” are held from January 1 to 6. In the Middle Ages, townspeople expressed their dissatisfaction with the church in this way: they staged satirical scenes and organized carnival processions. In cities and villages, the stupidest resident, by all accounts, received the title “Mr. Disorder” and was the head of the Christmas entertainment. His orders were binding on everyone.

January 6 is the end of the Christmas season, the last holiday. It is marked by the “Feast of the Kings” (Fetes des Rois). On this day, it is customary to make donations and gather around the family table. Almond cake "Galette des Rois" is decorated with a gold paper crown; and a small toy crown (sometimes replaced by a bean) is hidden inside. The one who gets it becomes the King or Queen of that day.

Christmas and New Year in France

Christmas, New Year and Kings' Day (January 6) make up a cycle of holidays (twelve days). New Year, like Christmas, is a family celebration, but it is usually celebrated not in “one’s own nest”, but at a party or in a cafe. Celebrating the New Year is always a joyful holiday. One of the French's favorite New Year's entertainment is the lottery. You can win a turkey, chicken or even a pig. The festive table is decorated with mistletoe. According to legend, this plant brings good luck. And in villages it is customary to come to visit with a “New Year’s log”. This is also a symbol of warmth and well-being.

There are a huge number of holidays in France, but one of the most revered and beloved holidays in France is the New Year, which in France is celebrated under the name of St. Sylvester's Day. His day falls on December 31st. New Year in France, like Christmas, is a family celebration, but it is usually celebrated not in “one’s own nest.”

New Year in France is usually celebrated with friends somewhere in a cafe, restaurant or nightclub, the windows of which are painted with attractive drawings and inscriptions. During New Year's dinner, people dance, joke, put on pointed hats and throw confetti or streamers at each other. One of the French's favorite New Year's entertainment is the lottery. You can win a turkey, chicken or even a pig.

Christmas is the most important holiday of the year for any French family, so they prepare for it thoroughly, a whole month in advance.

Whatever the religion, no one remains indifferent to this holiday. It is especially important for children who find their gifts near a decorated, sparkling Christmas tree. Originally based on the 12-day cycle of the winter solstice, Christmas celebrations in modern France span an entire month. Beginning on December 6, the day of St. Nicholas, it comes to an end only on January 6, the day of the King (or the day of Epiphany). This period is the most joyful and enjoyable of the year for both adults and children. Foreigners visiting France during this period see the most intimate, the most real of the life of the French. There is an atmosphere of celebration, warmth and kindness, as well as sincere hospitality.

Shopping streets are brightly illuminated with huge snowflakes made from light bulbs, festive Christmas trees stand in huge quantities with shining lights not only in apartments and on the streets, but also in the entrances of houses, crowds of people feverishly grab everything that is suitable as a gift, especially for children. According to the old custom, they put their shoes near the hearth so that Father Frost (Per Noel) will give them a reward for good behavior at night.

Christmas dinner “reveillion” under a decorated Christmas tree is a purely intimate, family affair, with a traditional menu, which must certainly include seven dishes: sage and garlic soup, spinach or cod, green and black olives, fried fish, cauliflower , celery in anchovy oil, snails, a traditional delicacy - goose liver... Before the upcoming holidays, geese and turkeys are fattened in advance, pigs are slaughtered, and sausages are prepared. The process of exchanging cards with wishes for a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year is mandatory.

A special French tradition is preparing a Christmas log. This was done in order to increase and improve the quality of the crop. The tree whose fruits were preferable was chosen for the log. It was believed that a tree trunk cut down had magical properties and could affect the harvest. Oak and beech, for example, were consumed mainly in order to secure a harvest of their fruits, which until the end of the Middle Ages constituted peasant food, and then for livestock. In some provinces, it is customary to hide gifts for children, especially sweets and fruits, in the Christmas log.

A few days before Christmas, evening concert programs begin in all cathedrals. The main Christmas service takes place in Notre Dame de Paris. Mass celebrations take place on the Champs Elysees. It’s as bright as day there from the many colorful light bulbs hanging on the trees.

Spruce is a symbol of Christmas in France.

Spruce, a tree that is equally beautiful regardless of the solstices, has long been an object of cult. As a symbol of eternal life, the spruce was an integral element of decorations during the Saturnalia. However, in France they began to use this tree to celebrate Christmas later. The tradition came to France from Germany, first spreading to Alsace, probably in the 16th century, and then to Lorraine. The Christmas tree came to other French regions along with the inhabitants of the aforementioned regions who fled after the German annexation in 1871. Since then, this hobby has not faded away. Today, Christmas trees are a whole industry. Millions of trees are planted every year to meet increasing demand.

There has been a real resurrection of the ancient cult of the tree: the spruce is dressed up, decorated with garlands of lights and glass balls. It is impossible to imagine a French house without a Christmas tree, nor a city where a festive tree would not be installed in the central square.

Once upon a time, the spruce was decorated only with fruits, most often apples. In 1858 there was a very bad apple harvest. Then glassblowers in Lorraine created glass balls to replace apples. This is where the tradition of Christmas tree decorations came from.

An integral tradition of celebrating Christmas is the “Christmas manger” (nativity scene), which depicts the scene of the birth of Christ. They are installed in churches and private homes. In Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and Auban, many craftsmen make and hand-paint figurines of saints (santons). This tradition is pan-European. According to legend, its founder was Saint Francis of Assisi. The nursery, created in Prague in 1562, is known as the first in the world. As for France, the first manger, surrounded by twenty gilded wooden statues, can still be seen in the church of Chaource, in the department of Aube.

For a long time, Christmas creches were installed only in churches, until aristocratic families began to install them in their homes, and then the rich bourgeoisie adopted this custom. In the 19th century, miniature figurines of saints began to be produced in entire series. Having them in the house became more and more popular, and today such a figurine can be found in almost every family; they are not necessarily purchased in connection with religion.

The scene of the manger is as follows: a baby in a cradle is surrounded by parents, the legendary ox and donkey, shepherds, wise men, crowded with ordinary people in 19th-century costumes. In this production, folk characters play an important role, especially in Provence, where they portray an enthusiastic fisherman, a fish seller, a woman with an earthenware jug, a spinner with a spindle, a herald with a drum...

During the month leading up to Christmas, there are numerous fairs where figurines of saints are sold. Such fairs are organized in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, for example, in the city of Marseille since 1803, in Arles, in Aix-en-Provence, in Oban, in Chamtersier, Sisteron, Carpentras, in Draguignan, in Moines-Sartoux, and also in the Langdoc-Roussillon region, in the town of Garonne near Nîmes or in Vandargur.

In some parts of France, Christmas holidays begin on December 6th - St. Nicholas Day. It is on this day that the French Santa Claus - Père Noel - brings gifts and sweets to good and diligent children. Wearing wooden shoes and carrying a basket of gifts on his back, he arrives on a donkey and, leaving the animal outside, enters the house through the chimney. He puts the gifts in shoes, which the children leave in front of the fireplace in advance. Per Noel's companion is Per Fuetar - a grandfather with rods, who reminds Per Noel how the child behaved during the year and what he deserves more - gifts or a spanking. In some provinces, Père Noël brings small gifts on December 6th and returns again on Christmas Day with larger ones. Petya Noel, the child Jesus, can also bring gifts.

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FESTIVALS AND OTHER EVENTS

January

Festival "Geode". Second half of January. Annual international film festival using Omnimax technology. Discoveries, emotions and guaranteed strong sensations thanks to the circular screen.

Street Band Festival. End of January. In Nantes there is a music festival where the best French street orchestras perform.

Circus Arts Festival. Principality of Monaco. Second half of January.

Monte Carlo hosts a circus arts festival that lasts a week. The most famous circus groups in the world are fighting for the title of the best. On the last day, the jury awards the winner the prestigious Clown d'Or (“Golden Clown”) award.

February

Television Festival. Principality of Monaco. Takes place every year in February.

The most important event that maintains the quality level of this rapidly developing art through the display of the best examples of TV production to date.

March

Mid March. International conference dedicated to Nostradamus. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

Festival "Holy Week". Mid to late March.

Royal Abbey of Fontevraud (Anjou department). Every year, the abbey invites everyone to the festival “Holy Week: Easter in the Christian Churches of the East,” which brings together church choirs, mostly Orthodox, from different countries of Europe and Asia.

No less interesting and full of colors is the Snail Carnival. Of course, the question of the name immediately arises. If you know even a little about the cuisines of the world, then you probably know that the French love to feast on various gastropods. The fruit of this love is a carnival in honor of small snails with medicinal properties. The carnival takes place at the most fertile time - May 1, when everything around is blooming, singing, and filling with juice.

This famous parade turns the city into a fortified camp for several days. This is a kind of tribute to the past - the era of brave musketeers. Artillery salvoes alternate with musket shots. A procession of townspeople goes to the church, carrying in front the statue of Saint Trope. They are accompanied by a detachment of musketeers led by a captain. At the end of the procession, the musketeers treat everyone to vermouth and open a traditional game of bowls.

Jazz Festival in Paris.

Every year in May, the traditional Paris Jazz Festival takes place. It will last until July, offering free open-air concerts during this period in the Paris park in the forest of Vincennes, right after the castle.

The holiday takes place on the coast, in reservoirs and rivers of the country. The water sports festival attracts young and old, beginners and professionals. Every visitor to the festival can get acquainted with unusual sports and share the passion for water with those who live this passion.

Festival in honor of St. Sarah.

Festival in Les Sainte-Marie-de-la-Mer: Every year on May 25th and 26th, this ancient seaside town west of Marseille goes into a musical frenzy as the entire Gypsy population of Europe descends here to worship at the shrine of Saint Sarah, considered the patron saint of the Gypsies. This is the last land that gave the world gypsy kings, and although gypsy speech is now rarely heard in these places, gypsy music is heard everywhere during the festival. It is worth considering that the festival in honor of St. Sary is not aimed at tourists; rather, it seems that the gypsies simply gather in groups and entertain each other with spontaneous, sudden songs and dances.

In the tomb of St. The Sarahs hold nightly vigils, each adding their own candle to the entire forest of wax burning in the small chapel. In addition, gypsies dress as St. Sarah in everything new: forty or fifty dresses are piled on a fragile statue that grows fatter day by day.

June

Paris Air Show.

Starting its history in 1909, the Air Show in Le Bourget near Paris has become a prestigious international event. Almost 300 thousand visitors come to get acquainted with the latest innovations in aircraft manufacturing and aerospace thought. The show is open only for purchase and sale, but on some days everyone is allowed in. The main highlight of the program for ordinary spectators is the daily 4-hour flights of airships. The show takes place on the site of the former main Paris airport, in Le Bourget, 10 km from Paris. Exhibition area: Five giant exhibition halls display everything from spaceships to air defense systems. In addition, there are 21 national pavilions from 21 countries. The most popular, however, is something else - an open-air exhibition of hundreds of airplanes and helicopters.

Wine Festival in Bordeaux. End of June.

The annual Wine Festival takes place in Bordeaux, celebrating wine in Europe's largest square on the banks of the Garone.

Over the course of 4 days, wine (you shouldn’t abuse it) is honored: a parade of Bacchus carts, a fashion show, the opening of vineyards at the mouth of the river, excursions to the vineyards, tasting and a giant picnic on the approaches to the Etal du Terrour, performances by artists from all over the world , a large exhibition dedicated to wine and vineyards - all this turns Bordeaux into a real paradise for lovers of celebration and gastronomy!

Parade of sailing ships in Normandy.

Periodically, from June 28 to July 6, the most beautiful sailboats from all over the world gather in the capital of Normandy. For the fourth time since 1983, the 8-kilometer Seine embankment in Rouen comes to life. Already on June 27, numerous sailing ships begin to assemble in Rouen. And a whole week of celebration and joy, music and light.

July

In the French city of Avignon, a theater festival has been held annually for more than half a century - one of the two most famous in the world. The town, marked in European history by an episode called “The Avignon Captivity of the Popes,” is captivated by the theater in its most varied manifestations throughout the entire month of July.

Modern Avignon is a prestigious main program of several dozen performances and a vast “off”, non-stop street theater that covers the entire city with its posters. Posters of the productions included in the official part cannot be found here - the festival still follows this Vilar commandment: participation in the main program is the best advertising, tickets are bought in advance, and voluntary participants in street performances are free to advertise themselves as they wish. The off-program has its own directorate, but the activities of theater enthusiasts coming to Avignon are mostly spontaneous. They gather for the festival not only out of pure love for art, but also in the hope of attention from producers and journalists: reviews in the press, they say, are extremely appreciated by the participants of the “off”.

Sweet tooths gather on July 10, at Conceze on Raspberry Festival. This village is 45 minutes from Limoges and turns into the Capital of Raspberry once a year. The main local export - tasty, juicy and aromatic berries - attracts more than 6,000 guests to the special fair and the pleasant events associated with it. These include street processions, folk games, and food. All without exception in traditional French style. Only here you will find out how many things can be made from raspberries and what the world's largest raspberry pie tastes like (a record already included in the Guinness Book, local bakers break every year with enviable zeal).

International Music Festival of Colmar.

Every July (first half) Colmar turns into a kind of crossroads of musical cultures: an international festival is held here, organized by the famous Russian musician and conductor Vladimir Spivakov.

In mid-July, an international jazz festival opens in the town of Juan Les Pins, which lasts for 10 days. Perhaps this is the most famous and jazz festival in the world.

Dinan is a picturesque old town, surrounded by a medieval fortress wall, with a population of 14 thousand inhabitants. There are practically no buildings in this town that are younger than two hundred years old. But the buildings and narrow streets of the 12th-14th centuries, cobblestone streets are perfectly preserved... Dinan lies 22 kilometers from the coast and the famous baths of Saint-Malo.

During the festival, which lasts two days, the townspeople hold a knightly tournament and the city is overrun with men in armor and with spears and ladies strictly following medieval fashion.

The holiday ends with a costume parade, in which both townspeople and invited actors participate.

September

The last third of September in Charleville takes place international puppet theater festival. For more than sixty years, Charleville has been a Mecca for puppeteers from different countries. It all started with a group of young people who, during the war, formed a puppet theater troupe in order to somehow occupy local children. In 1961, the first festival took place, in which troupes from England, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and France proper took part. In 1981, the International Puppet Institute was founded, and in 1986, the Higher School of Puppetry. “Street” and “freedom” are the key concepts that shape the atmosphere of the festival. There is no selection, competitions, strategy, or indeed a specific concept at all. Here a museum and a laboratory, folk art and aristocratic amusements, cute and shocking, gigantic and tiny are combined. And most importantly - puppets from different times and countries.

November

November is also the month when Paris hosts 3 traditional balls where celebrities gather: it all starts with Catherine Colonna de Stigliano's Ball of the Stars, followed by the Paris Ball and the Crillon Ball for debutantes.

End of October - beginning of November. Annual Chocolate Salon. Tastings, conferences, shopping, fashion shows where incredible chocolate models are shown. The salon lasts about 5 days.

November 28 Ceremony of lighting 135 thousand Christmas electric lights in Paris. The ceremony of lighting the Christmas lights takes place with the participation of famous representatives of France and the mayor of the French capital.

The first lighting ceremony on the Champs Elysees took place in 1981. 2.5 km of the main street of the French capital from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe is illuminated annually until January 4 of the following year.

Festival of Russian Art and Cinema

Theater of Nice. Every November (the first half of the month) a large festival of Russian art and cinema takes place here.

December

Festival "Sweet Life"

In Paris, in the halls of the famous Louvre, the international festival “La Dolce Vita” is held, which presents chocolate, sweets and cakes for every taste.

Many confectionery companies, including those from Russia, take part in the fair. Truffles, sweets, cakes scented with roses and even red pepper are presented to the audience. The festival presents not only culinary products, but also special cosmetics - creams and lipsticks based on cocoa beans. Also at the fair you can see chocolate paintings and sculptures, for example, Venus de Milo and Gioconda.

Festival of Lights in Lyon. First week of December. Lyon's most popular holiday has been celebrated since 1852, when a statue of the Virgin Mary was erected on the Fourvière hill. Now, as in those days, on the holiday, every house and every window in the city is illuminated, and a procession with lanterns passes through the streets. During the holiday, the city hosts numerous concerts and fun entertainment.

The first of January is New Year. Unlike Russia, in France this is not the main holiday. It is called St. Sylvester's Day. In France, the New Year holiday is not celebrated at home, although it is considered a family holiday.

The sixth of January is Catholic Epiphany, which is marked by donations.

Holidays in France in February

The second of February is the festival of violets in Toulouse. Here these flowers have a special meaning, so the festival lasts two days.

February 16 – Lemon Festival in Menton (near Nice). It is celebrated on a very large scale, lasting about 2 weeks.

Holidays in France in March

The first Sunday in March is National Grandmothers Day. Celebrated on the first Sunday of March every year, it is truly a family holiday.

March 31st is Catholic Easter. This holiday in France is celebrated not only by religious adherents.

Holidays in France in April

April 1 is April Fool's Day. It has been celebrated here for quite some time. Not only is April Fool's Day celebrated, but also the arrival of real spring.

Holidays in France in May

May 4 – Parrot Festival. An even more unusual festival takes place in Haute-Garonne on the first weekend of May.

May 15 – Cannes Film Festival, famous throughout the world. This is not a holiday, but it is celebrated more strongly than some.

May 24 – Bordeaux Wine Festival. A holiday in France dedicated to world-famous wines.

Holidays in France in June

Holidays in France in July

Holidays in France in August

Holidays in France in October

October 31st – Halloween in France. It's All Hallows' Eve. It is celebrated not only in France, but also in other countries.

Holidays in France in November

November 1st is All Saints' Day, which comes immediately after Halloween. Not so much a holiday as a day of remembrance of the dead.

Holidays in France in December

This article will talk about how the French spend their favorite holidays: from New Year to Bastille Day, from Birthday to Mother's Day. You will find out what gifts are best to give and what you should not give to your French friends on this holiday...

Despite the fact that in France the church is separated from the state, many holidays and weekends (days when it is officially allowed not to work) are associated with Catholicism. Today people are less religious and sometimes young people do not know the origin of some traditions.

This little boy is celebrating his birthday. Family members who were unable to attend the celebration will send him cards and gifts. (In France, cards are never given in person, with or without gifts. They are sent only if it is not possible to personally congratulate the birthday person on the holiday.)

When a child loses his first tooth, he puts it under his pillow so that the little mouse will bring him candy or some money.

6th January or on the first Sunday of the month - feast of the Epiphany(Epiphanie). Those gathered at the table share a pie with a baked surprise. The king's crown, which adorns the pie, goes to the one who finds a figurine or bean in his piece. Tirer les rois– literally means “to pull out the king”, i.e. to eat a piece of pie with a “bean”

The person who finds her becomes the king (queen) of the evening, puts a paper crown on his head and chooses a queen or king (in honor of the wise men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus) and kisses the chosen one. Later, the king or queen must buy another cake and invite those present to prolong the celebration. Thus, the feast can last for several days.

April 1st – April Fool's Day. People joke or laugh at each other. For example, a fish made of paper can be discreetly attached to a person’s back - it is called “Poisson d’avril”

Palm Sunday(le Dimanche des Rameaux): On the Sunday before Easter, Catholics go to church with a small branch of boxwood (a shrub with very small leaves).

IN Easter(Paques) children receive chocolate figures in the form of eggs, bells, and fish as a gift! The celebration continues on Monday of Easter week. This Catholic holiday celebrates the resurrection of Christ. Many families take advantage of the big weekend to gather around the table. On Easter, special dishes are prepared that are not eaten on ordinary days, for example, a ham of lamb or a hare dish.

And for dessert, no doubt, there will be a cake purchased at the pastry shop, which is made by the pastry chef especially for the holiday.

Public Holiday - Bastille day signifying the beginning of the revolution of 1789. On this day, military parades and balls take place on the streets of cities.

And, of course, in the evening you can admire the fireworks. In some cities, a torchlight procession is organized. People go around the village with torches, dancing and/or setting off fireworks.

August 15: holiday - Catholic holiday Dormition of the Virgin Mary(Assomption de la Vièrge). Often on this day people gather for a family dinner.

Nov. 1– All Saints Day (Toussaint). On this day, some French people bring flowers (chrysanthemums) to the graves of their deceased loved ones, although Remembrance Day is celebrated on November 2. (Attention! Never give chrysanthemums as gifts. In France they are considered flowers for the dead).

11th of November: public holiday commemorating the conclusion of the armistice of the First World War in 1918. On this day, flowers are laid at the tomb of the unknown soldier (near the triumphal arch) and at the monuments of fallen soldiers.

November 25: St. Catherine's Day. On this day, unmarried girls aged 25 and older wear extravagant hats. They are called "katerinettes".

(***The article was created based on materials from the site http://web.cortland.edu/ Translation from French: Tatyana Zadoya)

What holidays are there in France? How, what and when do the French celebrate? What interesting traditions are there? On which holiday will tourists be interested, and on which holiday should they not come to France? Read the answers in this article.

Calendar for 2019 and 2020

* - Day off only in Lorraine and Alsace

** - The holiday falls on Sunday

*** - Working day, but shortened

Public holidays in France are NOT: Epiphany, Epiphany, Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, Day of the Immaculate Conception. In many Catholic countries these days are declared public holidays, but not in France.

Postponement of holidays

Postponement of holidays is rarely practiced in France. If Bastille Day falls on a Sunday, then an additional day off is required on Monday. In the case of other holidays, the decision is entirely up to the government and the president, and they very rarely assign additional days off.

Faire le pont (Bridge)

The phrase “faire le pont” refers to the situation when the holiday falls on Thursday or Tuesday. People take a day off at their own expense on Friday or Monday, giving themselves 4 days off in a row.

This phenomenon is very common in France. Keep in mind that if a holiday falls on a Thursday, the following Friday is a semi-working day and many shops and businesses may be closed. Likewise, if a holiday falls on a Tuesday, then the Monday before it is half-working.

January 1 - New Year

In French “Nouvel an” (“Nouael he”) or “Premier de l"an” (“Premier de lion”)

In France, New Year is the main “street holiday”; most French people celebrate it on the streets or at a festive dinner in a restaurant. New Year's programs are also organized by two famous cabarets in Paris - and the Lido de Paris.

The big official fireworks display on the Champs-Élysées is sometimes held, sometimes not. There were fireworks in 2018, you can watch them in numerous videos on YouTube. Will there be fireworks displays in future years? Wait and see.

There are a lot of people who want to visit the Champs-Elysees on New Year's Day, so you have to take seats opposite the Arc de Triomphe during the day. After the fireworks, spend a couple more hours to get out of the Champs-Elysees. works all night. People walk on the streets until the morning. Everyone congratulates each other with the words “Bonne annee!” (“Bon Anni”, trans.: “Happy Year”).

The French have a tradition of drinking and eating on New Year's Day. Moreover, they try to do it as qualitatively as possible, not quantitatively. The main products for the New Year are oysters and foie gras. They drink expensive champagne. By the way, our tradition of drinking champagne on New Year's Eve came from France.

Children receive gifts on New Year's Day, but according to tradition, they are given gifts by their grandparents. Parents probably run out of money around Christmas. They give toys and envelopes with money, called “leurs étrennes” (“leurs étrennes”).

January 1 in France is a “dead” day, one might say “hangover day”. All shops and catering establishments are closed at least until lunchtime.

Dates vary - Good Friday, Easter, Holy Monday

Easter is Sunday. Bright Monday is a day off, a national holiday. Good Friday is a public holiday only in Alsace and Lorraine.

In French, Good Friday is “Vendredi saint,” Easter is “Pâques,” Holy Monday is “Lundi de Pâques.”

The date of Easter changes every year. Catholics and Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter at different times. France is a Catholic country.

In 2018 - March 30, Good Friday, April 1, Easter, April 2, Bright Monday. In 2019 - April 19, Good Friday, April 21, Easter, April 22, Bright Monday. In 2020 - April 10, Good Friday, April 12, Easter, April 13, Bright Monday.

The traditions of celebrating Easter in France are not very different from other European countries. There is an Easter bunny and Easter eggs - decorative and chocolate.

In France, chocolate is very popular; in pastry shops before Easter you can buy chocolate eggs up to 1 meter in size and with any imaginable decor. In addition to eggs, they make figurines of rabbits, chickens, and bells. The imagination of confectioners works at full capacity on Easter. And this is logical, because even if they don’t sell these eggs and figurines, the chocolate will not be lost, the chocolate will simply be melted down into something else.

A very interesting French tradition is called “Egg Hunt”. In gardens and parks, adults hide chocolate eggs and figurines in advance. On Easter day, children look for them. Often such events are paid for by municipalities, sometimes parents “chip in.” If the French live in a private house, then they organize hunting in their own garden.

The biggest egg hunt takes place in Paris around the Eiffel Tower. The event is sponsored by the mayor's office, about 20,000 chocolate figurines are hidden, the hunt starts at 10:00 am. Another famous “egg hunt” takes place in.

Children have a popular game where they let chicken eggs roll down a slope. Whoever's egg survived won. The winning egg symbolizes the stone that covered the tomb of Jesus Christ.

But the most interesting tradition involving eggs is the preparation of a giant omelet in the city of Bessieres. 40 chefs prepare an omelet from 15,000 chicken eggs. The omelet is eaten by 10,000 city residents and tourists who came to watch this event.

The traditional dish for the Easter meal in France is a baked leg of lamb with beans or potatoes.

For tourists, Easter in France is very interesting. This is an opportunity to visit Easter fairs, see and taste chocolate figurines, and participate in public events. The Champs-Élysées is closed to cars on Easter, so walking is a pleasure.

May 1 - Labor Day/Spring Festival

In French "Fête du Travail" or "Fête des Travailleurs" or "Fête du Muguet"

In France, May 1st is a double holiday. This is both the familiar Labor Day and the traditional French Spring Festival. Moreover, the celebration of spring is incomparably more important for the French, and they remember “Labor Day” only thanks to its official name in the calendar.

Since ancient times, on May 1, the French have celebrated the onset of warm weather, the revival of nature and the birth of new life. This tradition dates back to pagan times. This day has always been considered the most successful for finding a “soulmate.”

For dating, special dances “Bal du Muguet” were organized, to which girls and young men were allowed, but parents were not allowed. The tradition of these dances is now almost forgotten. It is customary for spouses to give flowers to each other. It is customary for unmarried men to give a bouquet to a girl they like.

The main flower in France on May 1 is the lily of the valley, here it is called the “lily of the valley.” The sale of lilies of the valley in France is not subject to taxes. Previously, unemployed people collected lilies of the valley and sold them on May 1, it was something like social support. Now this is a full-fledged business; sales of lilies of the valley on May 1 in France are estimated at 25 million euros.

The tradition of giving lilies of the valley began in 1561, when King Charles IX was given a sprig of lilies of the valley as a good luck charm. Then the tradition of giving lilies of the valley to court ladies was established.

May 1 does not feel like “Labor Day” in France; no demonstrations or parades are held here. But “Labor Day” was born in France; the holiday was proclaimed at the 1st Congress of the Second International in Paris on June 20, 1980.

For tourists, May 1 is the ideal time to walk around Paris, but we do not recommend going to the sights, there will be queues and crowds. Get ready for a shortage of tables in restaurants and cafes, because many French people want to have dinner or lunch in a restaurant with their loved ones.

May 8 - Victory in Europe Day

Day off, national holiday

In French "Fête de la Victoire"

They commemorate the surrender of Nazi Germany in World War II and the end of hostilities in Europe. The surrender took place on May 8, 1945 at 23-00 Central European time. Accordingly, at 1 a.m. on May 9, Moscow time. That's why we celebrate May 9, Europeans celebrate May 8.

Let us remember that at the beginning of the war (1940), almost all of France was occupied by Germany. After this, the surviving French troops and people from the colonies fought on the side of the Allies. In total, about 550,000 French soldiers and several hundred thousand more partisans and underground fighters took part in the defeat of Germany. Therefore, the French have every right to celebrate; their contribution to the victory is significant.

On the morning of May 8, the Champs Elysees is closed to visitors. The President and the military leadership of the country hold ceremonies: laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, a minute of silence, laying flowers at the foot of the monument to Charles de Gaulle.

Military parades used to be held on the Champs Elysees, but not anymore. Now you can only see the mounted Republican Guards, they look very colorful, it’s worth a look. See photo above, click on photo to enlarge.

Ordinary French people hang French flags on their houses. Believers attend solemn services in honor of all those killed in the war. Flags of other victorious countries are sometimes hung in squares to emphasize the unity of nations in that war.

For tourists, Victory Day in Paris may be interesting to look at the guards on horseback and the positive French people on this day. In tourist areas, all shops and cafes are open. Many establishments in the city may be closed. Small shops are almost all closed, large supermarkets are open.

Date changes - Ascension Day

Day off, national holiday

In French "Ascension"

A holiday in honor of the ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven. Celebrated on the 39th day after Easter Sunday (40th day of Easter), accordingly, the holiday always falls on Thursday.

The date changes every year as the date of Easter changes. In 2018 - May 10, 2019 - May 30, 2020 - May 21, 2021 - May 13, 2022 - May 26, 2023 - May 18, 2024 - May 9, 2025 - May 29.

For Catholics, this is one of the “days of obligation” when attending mass in church is mandatory. Many French people spend the morning in church and have a festive dinner at home. In Paris, the traditional food for Ascension Day is chicken or any other poultry. In other regions of France it could be: lamb, asparagus, potato salad or mushroom soup.

The French love to have picnics with friends on this day. It is not customary here to travel outside the city; the French prefer public parks. Rarely do public events take place in parks.

Many French people choose to take Friday off at their own expense to create a four-day weekend. Therefore, the Friday following Ascension Day is actually a half-working day.

For tourists, Ascension Day does not bode well. There are no additional entertainment, but there are queues and crowds, because many French people are not averse to sightseeing on this extra day off. Half of the stores are closed, and the other half are open on a special schedule. Some cafes and restaurants are closed, while those that are open are overcrowded.

Date changes - Pentecost

Day off, national holiday

In French "Lundi de Pentecôte"

Celebrated on the 50th day after Easter Sunday, the holiday always falls on Monday. On this day, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, taught them to speak different languages, and the apostles were able to bring faith in Jesus Christ to other nations.

The date changes every year as the date of Easter changes. In 2018 - May 21, 2019 - June 10, 2020 - June 1, 2021 - May 24, 2022 - June 6, 2023 - May 29, 2024 - May 20, 2025 - June 9.

In 2005, the holiday of Pentecost was abolished by government decision. Then, after the death of more than 15,000 elderly people in 2003 during a terrible heat wave, the government decided to introduce the “Day of Solidarity” holiday instead of Pentecost, when the whole country worked for free, and the money earned went to help the disabled and the elderly.

It was an interesting social experiment that ended in failure. In France they like to conduct social experiments, as well as in Russia. The people were against it, less than half of the workers went to work, everyone “excused themselves” from work as best they could. The government under Nicolas Sarkozy has brought back Pentecost since 2008.

On Pentecost, the French go to church for mass, have picnics in parks, and visit friends and relatives. This is a purely family holiday; large public events are not held.

Nothing good for tourists. There are crowds and queues at the attractions, half the shops are closed, and free tables in taverns are in short supply.

July 14 - Bastille Day

Day off, national holiday

In French "Fête Nationale" ("Fat National")

The French call it "National Day" or "Feast of the 14th of July". This is the main secular holiday in France. The anniversary of the Paris uprising of 1789 is celebrated. The uprising began on July 12, and on July 14, the rebels stormed the famous Bastille prison and successfully took it.

According to legend, when King Louis learned about the uprising, he shouted: “But this is a riot!” The king was informed about this by the Duke of Liancourt, who served as manager of Louis's wardrobe. The Duke said to the King in response: “No, Your Majesty, this is a revolution.”

And it really was a revolution - the Great French Revolution. The king was forced to recognize the power of the Constituent Assembly (parliament). The era of absolute monarchy ended, the system was replaced by a constitutional monarchy, and a little later (in 1792) by a republic.

On July 17, the king accepted a cockade of three colors from the deputies - blue, white, red. White was a symbol of the monarchy, red and blue were the colors of the coat of arms of Paris, under which the rebels fought. Thus the flag of France was born.

The main event on July 14 is a large military parade. It has been held annually since 1880. Even during the years of Nazi occupation (1941-1944), it was still held, but not in Paris, but in London under the leadership of the leader of the Free French, Charles de Gaulle.

The parade takes place on the Champs Elysees, the military marches from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, where the columns are met by the President of France and invited leaders of other countries.

The French word for parade is "Le Défilé". And indeed the French parade is somewhat reminiscent of a fashion show. Horse guards in beautiful helmets and camisoles begin the parade. The infantry does not raise their legs at 90 degrees, as is customary with us, but walk in step and calmly. The main thing here is the beauty of the military uniform and coherence.

You can watch the parade for free, but it is advisable to reserve a viewing spot along the Champs-Elysees a few hours in advance.

The culmination of the holiday is the evening fireworks and light show at the Eiffel Tower. It is best viewed from the Champ de Mars.

For tourists, July 14 has both huge advantages and disadvantages. Pros: the opportunity to watch the parade and fireworks, go to for free. Cons: queues, crowds, public transport operates with restrictions, there are chronically not enough places in taverns.

August 15 - Day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

Day off, national holiday

In French "Assomption"

Unlike most Christian holidays, the day of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary has an exact date according to the Gregorian calendar - August 15. Celebrates the day the Virgin Mary died and ascended to Heaven. The holiday was officially adopted by the Pope only in 1950; it is the youngest Catholic official holiday.

Believers attend solemn mass in churches. But most French people now do not attach much importance to religion; for them, an extra day off is already good. People try to meet with friends, visit relatives, and arrange get-togethers. It is not customary to go out of town for get-togethers; the French love picnics in city parks.

Many people want to go somewhere for fun, including sightseeing. Expect crowds, queues, congested public transport. Cafes and restaurants may not have empty seats.

Catholics can organize processions on the day of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Some tourists are interested in looking at this, and perhaps this is the only thing that may be interesting on this day.

November 1 - All Saints Day

Day off, national holiday

In French "Toussaint"

He is the well-known “Halloween”. Day in memory of all saints and martyrs. It has a fixed date - November 1.

When you hear the word “Halloween,” many people think of pumpkins and evil spirits costumes. But this is an Anglo-Saxon tradition of celebration. The French do not like the British, and these “pumpkin” traditions are not accepted.

Although pumpkins and costumes are sold in stores. If you wish, you can attend a pumpkin-themed party; they are held in Parisian and Marseille clubs and resorts.

In France, All Saints' Day is far from merry. The French go to a solemn service, and then go to cemeteries. It is customary to bring chrysanthemums or artificial flowers and light candles to the graves of relatives.

Chrysanthemum in France symbolizes death, under no circumstances give them to people, it’s like wishing death on a person!

Candles make cemeteries look amazing. Some tourists even go to see this spectacle. It’s difficult to say how ethical it is to go to a cemetery as a tourist attraction? By tradition, it is customary to visit cemeteries on November 2 - All Souls Day. But for most French people, November 1 is more convenient, since it is a day off.

On All Saints' Day, it is customary to have a dinner with a dish of lamb or venison. It is also customary to have a midnight dinner, eating bacon and pancakes, and drinking cider in memory of the departed. These culinary traditions are now almost forgotten.

November 11 - Day of Reconciliation

Day off, national holiday

In French "Armistice"

Celebrates the end of the First World War. Anniversary of the signing of the armistice on November 11, 1918 between France and Germany. The truce came into force at 11 am.

"November 11th Holiday" was introduced in 1922. It could not be called “Victory Day”, since de facto there was no winner in the war. The French were nominally victorious, but not a single French soldier set foot on German soil. It has always been a day of remembrance for the dead.

After the Second World War, November 11 became a day of remembrance for those killed in this war as well. And now it is considered a day of remembrance of all the French who died on the battlefields. At 11 am it is customary to hold a minute of silence.

The military organizes parades on this day, but not as large as on Bastille Day. The most famous parade on November 11th takes place under the Arc de Triomphe, and groups of military personnel from other countries often participate in this parade.

In general, no general grief is felt on November 11 in French cities. People are relaxing: some are walking with children in the park, some are in a pub, some are in amusement parks.

Expect queues and crowds, nothing good for a tourist other than the opportunity to watch the parades.

December 24 - Christmas Eve, December 25 - Christmas Day, December 26 - St. Stephen's Day

Christmas Eve is a working day, Christmas Day is a day off, St. Stephen's Day is a day off only in Alsace and Lorraine

In French: Christmas Eve - "La veille de Noël", Christmas Day - "Noël", St. Stephen's Day - "Deuxième jour de Noël" or "Saint Étienne"

The traditions of celebrating Christmas in France are not particularly original. This is a Christmas tree and gifts for children under it. The French Father Christmas is called "Père Noël" ("Father of Christmas"), children write letters to him. Large Christmas markets open in cities a few weeks before Christmas. The French already start congratulating each other within a week with the phrase “Joyeux Noël” (trans.: “Merry Christmas”).

In France, it is customary to have a festive dinner “Réveillon” on Christmas Eve, the main dishes: baked turkey or goose with chestnuts, oysters, foie gras, venison and cheese. First they have dinner in the evening, then they go to church for a solemn service, and after the service they continue with dinner. There is no tradition of walking the streets at night; the streets are empty at night.

For dessert, they prepare a chocolate roll “bûche de Noël”, the name translates as “Christmas log”. It used to be a common tradition to burn a special log made of cherry wood in the fireplace at Christmas. This log was soaked in wine for flavor. Nowadays, few residents of French cities have fireplaces, so instead of burning a wooden log, they eat chocolate.

In many countries there is a tradition when children hang socks by the fireplace, in which their parents put sweets. In France, it is customary not to hang socks, but to place shoes near the fireplace. And not some kind purchased in advance for this purpose, but the most ordinary one that is worn every day. Parents put sweets, chocolates, fruits in their shoes, and then the children eat it. We will not comment on how well this tradition complies with sanitary standards.

For tourists, Christmas can be interesting. Firstly, go to Christmas markets, where you can see and buy dozens of types of holiday sweets, miniature figurines, and delicacies. Secondly, see the stunning illumination of the streets of Paris.

However, you will hardly be able to feel the holiday itself on the night of December 24-25. After all, Christmas is a family holiday, the streets are empty. If you decide to watch Christmas in Paris, then remember the problem of hotel rooms. Some hotels are fully booked by the beginning of December, and room prices are going through the roof.

More holidays without days off

In France, the following are considered holidays, but without the designation of days off:

Mothers Day- last Sunday in May. It is customary to give pleasant surprises, gifts and flowers to your mothers and wives.

Father's Day- 3rd Sunday of June. It is customary to give pleasant surprises and gifts to your fathers and husbands.

St. Nicolas day- December 6. Celebrated in eastern France. On this day it is customary to give gifts to children, since St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children.

Have a good trip to France, and read our interesting articles about this country ( list of articles below).

On the eve of the May weekend, we decided to talk about what holidays are celebrated this month in France.

Russian tourists have always associated France with romance and luxury, fashionable resorts and fashionable designer innovations. France is the persistent and daring vocals of Edith Piaf, the crispy crust of a croissant with a cup of coffee, a glass of dry red wine from the best vineyards of the country, the eternal Chanel No. 5 and the Musketeers.

The list of what France is associated with can be continued endlessly. But France is famous not only for what first comes to mind. This country is also famous for its rich culture, traditions and customs. All this rich heritage is absorbed by French holidays, of which there are many in the country - every season there is a holiday to your liking.

There are eight such holidays in May, so you can very easily combine it with festivities at one of them. Let's go through each of them.

We all know very well what is customary to do in Russia on this day, but in France Labor Day is celebrated a little differently. And this holiday is associated primarily with lilies of the valley. It is believed that this flower brings happiness, so on May 1 it is sold on every corner and given to all friends and relatives.

The tradition was fixed on May 1 because, according to legend, plants acquire beneficial magical properties on this day. It was also believed that if dew was collected before sunrise on May 1, it would have special properties, soften the skin and prevent skin diseases.

By the way, on the rest of the year the sale of lilies of the valley is prohibited in the country.

Ascension of the Lord May 5

The Ascension of the Lord is a holiday in memory of the ascension of Christ into heaven. Its date is not constant and moves between May and early June, but always falls on the fortieth day after Easter.

On the night of the holiday, a majestic service takes place, as well as several rituals, including the blessing of beans and grapes, the extinguishing of the Easter candle and solemn processions.

Parrot Festival May 6

Every year it is held in the small town of Haute-Garrona. This festival on the first weekend in May is associated with many medieval traditions and amusements.

Day of liberation from fascism May 8

In Russia, Victory Day is celebrated on May 9, and in France on May 8, in memory of the date when Nazi Germany surrendered. As in Russia on May 9, the French do not work on May 8 - the holiday is a public holiday.

As a rule, during the holiday, heads of state lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, but the French President slightly changed this ceremony, adding also the ritual of lighting the eternal flame together with lyceum students.

War veterans are the most honored guests at the holiday. The President personally shakes hands with each of them.

Cannes Film Festival May 11

Every year the most takes place in May on the Cote d'Azur. About 10 thousand accredited professionals, about 4 thousand journalists and a large number of A-list stars gather for the 10 days of the festival in Cannes.

When the festival opened in 1939, the honorary chairman of the jury was the creator of cinema, Louis Lumière himself.

Holy Spirit Day May 15

The Day of the Holy Spirit is also called Pentecost and takes place on the seventh Sunday after Easter. Since its introduction in ancient times, the holiday has always been celebrated solemnly by the church. The custom of the ancient Church to perform the baptism of catechumens on this day gave it a special triumph.

On this day, not only churches, but also French houses are decorated with plants: flowers and tree branches.

Monaco Grand Prix 2016 May 26

The date is also variable, but it always falls in May. The rally takes place over 4 days on the Monte Carlo circuit in Monaco.

The first rally took place in 1911, but regular races in Monaco began to be held only in 1929. This stage of Formula 1 has always been considered the most dangerous and spectacular at the same time. In addition, the Monaco Grand Prix is ​​the most prestigious stage of racing in the world championship.

Naturally, there are many more holidays in May in France than we have listed in this collection. Regions have their own holidays, and various festivals are held throughout the country every week.