The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you’ll find that the subject of France Holidays is certainly no exception.

France celebrates a total of thirteen public holidays, or jours feriés, every year. Of these, eight are observed on fixed dates, which include three important religious celebrations. These eight fixed-dated French public holidays are listed below, in the order of their occurrence.

1. Le Jour de l’An (New Year’s Day) – France, like most other countries, celebrates New Year’s Day on January 1, the first day based on the Gregorian calendar. The highlight of activities on this holiday, again like in many countries, takes place at midnight that spans the last day of the old year (December 31) to the first day of the new year. Observance of the New Year lasts up to January 6, the feast of the Epiphany.

2. Fête du Travail (Labor Day) – There probably isn’t a country that does not observe Labor Day, for on this day workers celebrate their social and economic achievements. In France, Labor Day is celebrated in conjunction with the celebration of “Le Jour du Muguet”. In this latter celebration, workers sell “muguet” (lily of the valley) on the streets to raise funds for labor unions. May 1 is the date when France, and almost all countries, celebrates Labor Day.

3. Victoire 1945 (Victory in Europe Day) – This public holiday is celebrated in France on May 8. It is a celebration of the victory of the Allied Powers (of which France was a member) against Nazi Germany that signaled the end of World War II.

4. Fête Nationale (Bastille Day) – This is the National Day of France, which is celebrated on July 14 every year. The celebration is a commemoration of the storming of the medieval fortress and prison known as the Bastille, which took place on July 14, 1789, that paved the way for the rise of modern France.

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5. Assomption (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) – Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion in France, and the Assomption is one of the most important religious celebrations in this country. This August 15 celebration is an observance of the taking up into Heaven, body and soul, of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

6. Toussaint (All Saints’ Day) – This is another important religious celebration in France, which is observed on November 1 each year. The day is celebrated in honor of all the Saints who are recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. Traditionally on this day too, deceased family members and friends are remembered and prayed for.

7. Armistice 1918 (Armistice Day) – This holiday, which is also called Remembrance Day, is celebrated on November 11. It is a commemoration of the signing of the armistice or cessation of hostilities by and between the Allies of World War I and Germany. The event is especially important for France since it was in the French commune of Compiègne where the armistice was signed on November 11, 1918. Through this momentous event, World War I eventually ended.

8. Noël (Christmas Day) – This is the most joyful religious celebration in France, as it is in many parts of the world. It is celebrated on December 25 in commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity. The Christmas season actually is one of the longest holidays in France, which is celebrated beginning on Christmas eve (December 24) up to the feast of the Epiphany on January 6 the following year.

In the eastern provinces of Alsace and Lorraine, the day after Christmas Day (December 26), which is referred to as the Second Day of Christmas, is also celebrated as a public holiday.

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Lyon is a city in the east-central portion of France, located between Marseille and the capital city of Paris. On December 8 every year, Lyonnais (the term used to refer to Lyon residents) and those from other towns and cities in France enjoy one of the most awaited French events that take place in Lyon – the Festival of Lights.

The Festival of Lights in Lyon is a century and a half-old tradition, in which Lyonnais honor the Blessed Virgin Mary by placing candle lamps in windows of their homes. The occasion is made special by the fact that it comes very close to the Christmas season (although it really does not have any connection with Christmas), making people feel like the holidays have already set in.

Actually, December 8 was not the intended date of the first holding of this “lighting” ceremony. Based on historical accounts, the religious leaders of Lyon organized in 1850 a statue-making contest. The statue to be made was that of the Virgin Mary, with the winning sculpture to be put up atop the Fourvière hill.

The winning sculpture was scheduled for unveiling a couple years later on the date the birth of the Virgin Mary is observed – September 8. Unfortunately on that day, the Saône river overflowed, flooding the entire area. Because of this, the organizers were forced to move the date of the unveiling ceremony three months later to December 8, which is the Immaculate Conception Day.

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But the story did not end there. To celebrate the unveiling of the new statue, the people had planned to light candles inside their homes. On that rescheduled date, however, an extremely intense storm hit the city, and the ceremony’s date was moved anew four days later to December 12. The storm quickly passed though and in an act of thanksgiving, the people of Lyon proceeded with their planned lighting of candles (note: this was on December 8). They then went out into the streets to celebrate.

Touched by the people’s gesture, religious authorities also decided to light candles inside the chapel of Fourvière. From the streets, a spectacularly lighted view of Lyon can be seen, with the city illuminated from end to end. This event gave birth to the now very popular Festival of Lights in Lyon.

The modern celebration of the event is held for four days, from December 5 to 8. During this period, the whole of Lyon is illuminated through modern lighting techniques. The spectacular view of the city from outside attracts thousands of visitors from the neighboring cities and towns in France as well as from other countries. In fact, finding a hotel room to stay during this period is quite difficult.

Today, the French Festival of Lights in Lyon is not just an occasion for remembering the momentous events that took place more than one hundred fifty years ago in this city as recounted above. It now also serves as a forum for all cities, not just in France but in the whole world, to tackle urban lighting and such other issues related to it.

As your knowledge about France Holidays continues to grow, you will begin to see how France Holidays fits into the overall scheme of things. Knowing how something relates to the rest of the world is important too.

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By Suraya – Your main sources and articles. Share your opinion and advice here!

The Roman Catholic Church celebrates February 2 each year as Candlemas. This celebration is a commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s purification and the presentation of the baby Jesus at the temple. The feast is also called by other names: “Feast of the Presentation of Jesus,” “Meeting of the Lord,” and “Feast of the Purification of the Virgin.”

France, being a predominantly Roman Catholic country, also observes this feast on February 2, which is forty days after Christmas. There are three French terms for the occasion: “Jour des crêpes” (crêpes have real signification in this occasion), “Fête de la Lumière” (different from the Festival of Lights in Lyon), and “La Chandeleur” (the most commonly used of the three terms).

The term “Candlemas” was derived from the Latin ritual of lighting candles at midnight to symbolize purification. The original event involved the observance of the Holy Family (Joseph, the Virgin Mary, and the baby Jesus) of the rite as described in Chapters 21 to 24 of the Second Book of Luke. In part, the rite required that a mother must present her firstborn boy to the Lord forty days after birth. An offering of two doves must accompany the presentation.

The French celebration of La Chandeleur as a commemoration of the purification of the Virgin Mary first occurred in 1372. The term “Fête de la Lumière” refers to the lighting of blessed candles as a form of remembering Jesus Christ who is the “Light of the World.” This lighting of blessed candles at homes for protection continues to this day in France.

In relation to why La Chandeleur is also called Jour des crêpes, the French pray for good harvest and prosperity for every home and family. All excess flour is used to make crêpes. These pancakes are a symbol of prosperity in France. Farmers believe that wheat will grow better if many crêpes are made. Turning the celebration into a sort of revelry, children engage in crêpe-throwing games during this day.

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One of the French traditions during La Chandeleur goes this way: People clutch a coin in the hand which they use for writing; with the other hand, they hold a pan with a crêpe in it. They toss the crêpe in the air and try to catch it back into the pan. If they’re successful, they wrap the coin with the crêpe. This is then brought in the bedroom and placed on top of the cupboard. The way by which this is done is similar to a procession, with the participation of all members of the family. The following year, the coin is given to the poor. This entire ritual is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to the family for the whole year.

Fortune telling, while making crêpes, is also a tradition during La Chandeleur. In addition, French proverbs pertaining to the occasion come out prominently during this day. Some examples are given below:

? “On la Chandeleur, the day grows by two hours.”

? “On la Chandeleur, winter comes to an end or becomes stronger.”

? “On la Chandeleur, everything is covered with snow and forty days are lost.”

Crêpes certainly are an important part of the French celebration of Candlemas. One reason for this is that crêpes, to the French, symbolize the sun, which seems to be absent in their lives during this time of the year.

That’s the latest from the France Holidays authorities. Once you’re familiar with these ideas, you’ll be ready to move to the next level.

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By Suraya – Your main sources and articles. Share your opinion and advice here!

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of France Holidays, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of France Holidays.

…A Gathering Of French-Speaking People From Around The World

The International Day of Francophonie is celebrated every year on March 20. On this day, Francophones from around the world get together as a way of celebrating that “something” that is common to them – the French language.

The inaugural International Day of Francophonie was held in 1998, although the Francophonie organization was actually established 28 years earlier. The organization has its headquarters in Paris, France.

The term “Francophonie” refers to specific areas in the world in which French is spoken. It was coined in 1880 by Onésime Reclus, a French essayist and geographer. The term “Francophone”, on the other hand, refers to a person who speaks French. When not capitalized, the term is a descriptive word, such as in “franchophone region”.

Currently, the organization is headed (as Executive Secretary) by Abdou Diouf, who served as the second President of Senegal from 1981 to 2000. It has 56 member states, 21 of which were original members (i.e., countries that joined the organization in 1970). These are France, Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Haiti, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Monaco, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia, and Vietnam.

Within the next 10 years, 12 more states, communities, or colonies joined the organization as members. These are the French Community of Belgium, New Brunswick, Quebec, Central African Republic, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Guinea-Bissau, Lebanon, Seychelles, and Vanuatu.

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The rest of the member states today include Albania, Andorra, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Guinea, Laos, Moldova, Morocco, Romania, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, and Switzerland.

The organization has three associate members: Armenia, Cyprus, and Ghana. Fourteen countries, meanwhile, are assigned as observers. These are Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Mozambique, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Thailand, and Ukraine.

Other countries with French-speaking regions, but are not members of the organization, are Algeria, Guernsey, India, Italy, Israel, Jersey, Mexico, Syria, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, French is spoken in four states: Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. All these areas certainly are considered francophone regions.

It is estimated that there are over 150 million Francophones, more than half of whom live outside France. Understandably because of this, French is a very important language in the world. To emphasize this, French is extensively used in prominent international gatherings as the Olympics, the United Nations, and the European Union.

Through the International Day of Francophonie, French-speaking people from different parts of the world are able to interact, bringing into the meeting diverse traditions and cultural differences. Such instance promotes a culture of tolerance, which, sadly, is lacking in many parts of the world.

Today, the Francophonie organization has several branches that oversee and coordinate activities between and among member states in areas of concern that go beyond the French language and culture. Such areas include worldwide concerns on the economy, science, peace, justice, democracy, human rights, and the environment.

The International Day of Francophonie carries the slogan “Egalité, Complémentarité, Solidarité. This translates to “Equality, Complementarity, Solidarity.

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By Anders Eriksson, proud owner of this top ranked web hosting reseller site: GVO

One of the most important feasts in the Christian liturgical year is the Pentecost. It is celebrated 7 weeks (50 days to be exact) following Easter and falls on the tenth day following Ascension Thursday. Pentecost is also called by other names, such as “Whitsun”, “Whit Sunday”, or “”Whitsuntide”, depending on which country one is in.

In France, Pentecost (Pentecôte in French) is one of religious holidays, which is observed with people attending special church services. Some are baptized (or baptized anew) in churches during this day. French Christians observe on this day the descent of the Holy Spirit onto the followers of Jesus Christ. A tradition followed during the Divine Service is the blowing of trumpets, symbolizing the sound of the wind that accompanied the Holy Spirit’s descent.

Because Pentecôte always falls on a Sunday, most people in France celebrate the holiday like any other Sunday. Some families just stay at home while others go to parks. In any case, family members and friends get together on this day and have special meals.

And as on other Sundays, it is generally quiet in public places in France during Pentecost. Banks, shops, stores, and other businesses are closed on this day. Even those museums that are usually open on a Sunday may likewise be closed on this day.

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The day after Pentecost, France celebrates another public holiday – Lundi de Pentecôte (Pentecost Monday or Whit Monday). This day, however, is not celebrated by the French with the same religious significance as they do the Pentecost. Most people quietly observe the holiday with families and close friends.

Parks and countrysides in France are usually full of people on Whit Monday; they can be seen here enjoying a picnic lunch. In some villages and towns, cultural and sporting events are held on this day.

Actually, France observed Whit Monday as a public holiday until 2005, when it was replaced by another holiday. This was the French government’s way of raising funds to financially support the elderly and those with disabilities, a move conceived after the tragic death of some 15,000 elderly people caused by a heat wave in the summer of 2003.

The French government’s cancellation of Whit Monday as a public holiday meant that workers rendered services on this day with no pay. Their wages were instead collected and used to assist people with disabilities and the elderly. Workers, however, began to air their grievances against this move and held a series of demonstrations to force the government to repeal it. Eventually, Whit Monday was reinstated as a public holiday in 2008, with the government introducing other measures in order to keep its earlier commitment as explained.

Again like during the Pentecost or any other public holiday, Whit Monday in France means a day when public life practically comes to a halt. Almost all businesses, shops, and stores are closed. Some stores in Paris as well as in airports and at railway stations may be open though. Public transport service schedules may also be irregular or different on this day.

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By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his soon to be top ranked Perpetual20 training site: Perpetual 20

In today’s world, it seems that almost any topic is open for debate. While I was gathering facts for this article, I was quite surprised to find some of the issues I thought were settled are actually still being openly discussed.

…French Celebration Of Two Related Holidays

Catholics around the world celebrate All Saints’ Day on November 1 every year. This is followed by their observance of All Souls’ Day on November 2. While these two holidays are related to each other, only the former is celebrated as a public holiday in many countries, including France.

France observes “La Toussaint” (All Saints’ Day), a holy day of obligation, in honor of all the saints recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. On the other hand, “Le Jour des Morts” (All Souls’ Day) is an occasion for remembering departed family members and friends. But since Le Jour des Morts is not a “jour ferie” (public holiday) in France, people visit cemeteries in conjunction with their observance of La Toussaint – on November 1.

La Toussaint and Le Jour des Morts actually fall within the first of five sets of school holidays in France, which is a 12-day school break that begins around the third week of October. As such, many families use both occasions as an opportunity to be together by taking a short trip or a brief vacation.

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Traditionally, of course, these holidays are a time for attending special church services and for visiting cemeteries. People place flowers or wreaths on graves. Chrysanthemums are a popular symbol during these occasions, and they are used to decorate churches and cemeteries. Along with these, churches are likewise adorned with candles, banners, and such other things that are associated with remembering the dead. Many cemeteries, particularly those in the south-central and northwest regions, are decorated with stone lanterns.

Churches are draped with folds of black cloth on the eve of Le Jour des Morts. People can be heard singing funeral songs, reciting prayers, and telling stories about the dead. A special supper in honor of the dead is partaken at midnight, which traditionally consists of black grain, pancakes, and milk.

All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in France may also be an occasion for people to visit any of the various cemeteries where famous people are interred. Some examples are the Cimetière de Batignolles in France (final resting place of French poets Paul-Marie Verlaine and André Breton), the Grand Jas Cemetery in Cannes (burial place of French film actress Martine Carol and Russian-French jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé), and the Saint Remi Basilica in Reims (where the remains of Louis IV and Lothair I are known to be interred in unidentified graves).

Holidays in France are taken seriously. What this means is that during such public holidays as La Toussaint, places that teem with activities on ordinary days are generally quiet. Banks, post offices, stores, and most other business establishments are closed. The only certain exceptions are flower shops and, perhaps, some stores in Paris.

Schedules of public transport service during the holidays may likewise be different from those of regular working days. Those wishing to visit France during the La Toussaint-Le Jour des Morts holidays should make arrangements for their transport based on where they will stay and where they plan to go around.

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By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his Perpetual20 training site for great bonuses: Perpetual20

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A special occasion celebrated in France is Beaujolais Nouveau Day. This occasion is celebrated on the third Thursday of November each year. On this day, wine lovers from around the world rush to France to have a taste of the Beaujolais Nouveau offered for the year.

What is Beaujolais Nouveau?

To begin, there is a region in France named Beaujolais. In this region, a purple-colored variety of grapes known as Gamay is grown. From these grapes are produced the most popular red wine, called Beaujolais Nouveau.

Beaujolais Nouveau is a nouveaux wine (also known as vin de primeur). A nouveux wine is a French wine granted certification under the Appellation d’origine contrôlée (controlled term of origin) to be released and marketed in the same year the grapes it’s made from are harvested. Beaujolais Nouveau is released and sold on the third Thursday of November, which is usually only a few weeks from the time the grapes were harvested. Thus, the day is referred to as Beaujolais Nouveau Day.

Nouveaux wines are distinctively paler in color. This is because of the very short time of maceration and fermentation the products go through. The wines are fruity, light bodied, and may contain some residual sugar.

Besides Beaujolais Nouveau, there are other equally famous nouveux wines. Depending on regulations (which region in France a wine is produced), a nouveaux wine may be red, rose, or white. Below are some of the most famous nouveux wines of France:

1. Anjou wine – White wine produced in the Loire Valley region.

2. Burgundy wine – Red or white wine produced in the Burgundy region. Red Burgundy wines are made from Pinot Noir grapes, while the white ones are from Chardonnay grapes.

3. Côtes de Bourg wine – White wine produced in the Bordeaux region.

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4. Muscadet wine – White wine produced in the Pays de la Loire region.

5. Saumur wine – White or red wine produced in the Loire Valley region. White Saumur wines are made from Chenin Blanc grapes, while the red ones are from Cabernet Franc grapes.

6. Tavel wine – Rose wine produced in the region of Rhône. It is made from either the Cinsault or Grenache grape varieties.

7. Corbières wine – Rose or white wine produced in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

8. Minervois wine – Red wine made from Carignan grapes grown in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

9. Bergerac wine – Red, rose, or white wine produced in southwest France.

10. Jurançon wine – White wine made from Courbu, Petit Manseng, or Gros Manseng grapes grown in southwest France.

11. Gaillac wine – Red, rose, or white wine produced in southwest France.

12. Côtes du Ventoux wine – Red, rose, or white wine produced in the region of Rhône. Red and rose Côtes du Ventoux wines are made from Cinsault, Carignan, Mourvèdre, or Syrah grapes. White Côtes du Ventoux wines are made from Bourboulenc, Clairette, or Grenache Blanc grapes.

Again because of the short processing time Beaujolais Nouveau and the other nouveaux wines go through, it is very likely that these were not exposed to any oak before their release to the market. Labels of all nouveaux wines need to show the words “nouveau” or “primeur” as per regulations.

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Charles Smith is an immigration law researcher. If you are looking for professional immigration services in the San Diego area, feel free to visit this San Diego immigration lawyer website. You can get help for green cards, deportation, marriage visas, and citizenship.

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Most countries have public holidays whose dates are movable. That is, they are not fixed to a specific day of the calendar year. In France, they have thirteen public holidays, five of which have movable dates. These are as follows:

1. Pâques (Easter) – This is the most important religious celebration in France, and is in fact considered the holiest day in the Christian calendar. The day is a commemoration of Christ’s resurrection and marks the end of Lent.

Based on the Christian liturgical year, Easter is celebrated on the Sunday after the first full moon on or after the day of the occurrence of the vernal equinox. By simple definition, vernal equinox is a specific time of the year when day and night are about the same in duration.

Doing away with such technical terms, France will celebrate Easter on these dates of the next five years: April 4, 2010, April 24, 2011, April 8, 2012, March 31, 2013, and April 20, 2014.

2. Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday) – This is actually an extra public holiday in France as well as in some other Christian countries. Understandably, this celebration moves in relation to the moving date of Pâques. For the next five years, therefore, France will celebrate Easter Monday on the following dates: April 5, 2010, April 25, 2011, April 9, 2012, April 1, 2013, and April 21, 2014.

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3. L’Ascencion (Ascension Day) – In the Christian doctrine, Jesus, following his resurrection, ascended to Heaven in the presence of his eleven disciples. While some countries observe this holy day on the immediate Sunday forty days after Easter, France retained the traditional Christian celebration of the Thursday that is exactly the 40th day from Easter.

Hence, France will celebrate l’Ascencion every year, from 2010 to 2014, on these dates: May 13, 2010, June 2, 2011, May 17, 2012, May 9, 2013, and May 29, 2014.

4. Pentecôte (Pentecost) – The Pentecost, which is also called Whitsun, is another important religious feast in the Christian calendar. It is the commemoration of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus’ eleven disciples. Observance of this feast is on the seventh Sunday after Easter.

Because it always falls on a Sunday, the Pentecost is automatically a public holiday. In France, la Pentecôte will be observed in the next five years, beginning 2010, on these dates: May 23, 2010, June 12, 2011, May 27, 2012, May 19, 2013, and June 8, 2014.

5. Lundi de Pentecôte (Whit Monday) – This is another extra public holiday in France. It is observed on the Monday immediately following la Pentecôte. Therefore, France will observe Whit Monday on these dates: May 24, 2010, June 13, 2011, May 28, 2012, May 20, 2013, and June 9, 2014.

In the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine, Good Friday is also observed as a public holiday. The two provinces’ dates of celebration of this holy day are on April 2, 2010, April 22, 2011, April 6, 2012, March 29, 2013, and April 18, 2014.

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By Odell Tankersley, feel free to visit this Send Out Cards affiliate site: sendoutcards

You should be able to find several indispensable facts about France Holidays in the following paragraphs. If there’s at least one fact you didn’t know before, imagine the difference it might make.

There are thirteen public holidays celebrated each year in France. In addition to these, French schools enjoy five sets of breaks, with at least two of these being two-week periods each.

A holiday is always an opportunity to get away from the boring daily routine of work or school. Choosing France as a vacation destination is always a good idea. The capital city of Paris offers lots of activities during any of the French holidays. Hotels in the city rank among the world’s best.

Here are five of the best hotels in Paris where families can stay and have full enjoyment of their first ever vacation in France:

Apollon Montparnasse:

This hotel was originally built in the 1930s to serve as apartments. Like in most other hotels in France, the rooms here are midsize and are very clean. The rates are likewise very reasonable. Situated in an ideal location in Montparnasse, the hotel lies adjacent to a number of really good restaurants, several shops, grocery stores and bakeries, and the metro. The hotel’s exact address is 91, rue de l’Ouest / street corner Pernety / 75014 Paris.

Bourgogne & Montana:

This is one of the oldest hotels in France, having been built around 1790. It consists of six floors and has small to midsize rooms. The hotel is just a couple of blocks from the Seine and lies across the Palais Bourbon. It is also close to some of the famous landmarks in Paris, such as the Jardin des Tuileries, the Place de la Concorde, and the Orsay Museum. The hotel is located at 3 rue de Bourgogne, Paris, 75007.

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Fouquet’s Barrière:

The spacious and luxurious rooms of this hotel are certainly its pride. Their features will make every guest feel important. The services offered in this hotel are considered to be among the best in the whole of Paris. Beside the hotel stands the equally famous restaurant with the same name. The hotel is located at 46 avenue George V 75008 Paris.

Golden Tulip Opéra de Noailles:

This hotel has rooms that offer all the comforts one will certainly look for in an accommodation. Some of the rooms even have their own patios and terraces. Close to the hotel are two of the most popular restaurants in Paris – Le Grand Véfour and Chez Drouant. Faubourg Saint Honoré, famous for its line of department stores and designer shops, is very near the hotel. The hotel is located at 9 rue de la Michodière, Paris, 75002.

Hôtel le Bristol:

This hotel stands close to the French President’s residence – the Palais d’Elysée. It is said that the hotel ranks third among the many luxurious hotels in Paris in terms of glamour and style. Built in 1924, the hotel is famous for its 18th century Parisian facade and for its opulent rooms. It is located at 112, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré 75008 Paris.

Other hotels you may consider staying at when vacationing in Paris include the Hyatt Regency Paris-Madeleine (located at 24 bd. Malesherbes, Paris, 75008), L’Hôtel du Petit Moulin (located at 29-31 rue du Poitou, Paris, 75003) and Radisson Blu Le Dokhan’s Hotel (located at 117 rue Lauriston, Paris, 75116).

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By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his soon to be top ranked Perpetual20 training site: Perpetual 20

France celebrates New Year on January 1 like many other countries do. The beginning of a new year, which is “le Jour de l’An” in French, is a highly anticipated occasion that is observed with festivities. Among these is the customary holding of a feast, referred to as “le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre”.

The term “la Saint-Sylvestre” actually refers to New Year’s Eve (December 31). Hence, the le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre feast is a grand celebration the French host to mark the closing of an old year and the birth of another. Special dishes, such as foie gras (fattened goose liver), are aplenty during this time; so are various kinds of drinks including the very popular sparkling white wine “champagne” and the equally famous hot wine “vin chaud”. At the stroke of midnight, family members and friends kiss under “le gui” (the mistletoe).

Fireworks are common, especially on the streets of Paris. These have become an important part of the New Year celebration in this city, which is helped a lot by the fact that fireworks are legally sold and bought here.

The celebration can be a simple get-together of family members over dinner or a more extravagant formal gathering of families and friends called “une soiree” (literally, an evening gathering). Traditional activities include exchanging of “les etrennes” (New Year’s gifts) and even of “une bonne resolution” (New Year’s resolutions). People greet each other excitedly on the streets, give greeting cards and other goodies, all meant to usher in a prosperous new year.

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In Bordeaux and other cities and villages in southwest France, people hear mass in the evening and join the torchlight procession that ends in the vineyards, where people pick grapes and enjoy some mulled wine. In the southern city of Avignon, the famous “Illuminations Tour and Dinner” is a fully-booked activity at this time.

Festivities in the capital city of Paris are held with the participation of thousands of entertainers, singers and dancers. These festivities, actually a two-day parade, go through several streets, proceed through the city’s metropolitan area of Chantilly on December 31, and end at the Champ de Mars (right under the Eiffel Tower) the following day (January 1).

New Year songs are heard all over, such as “Choral des Adieux”, the equivalent of the Scottish poem-turned-folk song “Auld Lang Syne”. Two other songs popularly sung during this occasion are “Toast pour le nouvel An” (“Toast to the New Year”) and “La chanson du Nouvel-An” (“Song of the New Year”).

Taking a cruise has become a popular way of celebrating New Year in France of late. Cruise choices (reservations should be made at least one month before New Year) include tours of the canals and rivers of France, a tour of the northern part of the country on the Seine beginning at Paris and ending at Normandy (this is ideal for couples), or of the southern part on the Saone and Rhone starting at Lyon and terminating at Provence.

The conclusion of all celebrations of le Jour de l’An is on the feast of the Epiphany (January 6). Here, a special cake, called “la galette des rois” (king’s cake) is cut and shared among family members and friends.

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