La galette des rois (early January): find la fève (the charm) in your slice and you’re king for the day — crown included.
La Chandeleur (2 Feb) = national crêpe day. Flip yours holding a coin for a year of prosperity.
Le 1er mai: everyone offers du muguet (lily of the valley) for luck — and nobody works; it’s THE jour férié.
Le 14 juillet: military parade in the morning, bals des pompiers (firemen’s balls!) and fireworks at night. Say « la fête nationale », not “Bastille Day” — the French don’t call it that.
Noël: the feast is le réveillon on the 24th evening — oysters, foie gras and la bûche (yule log cake).
Wishing well: Joyeux Noël, Bonne année (mandatory ALL of January), Joyeuses Pâques.
🔊 Useful phrases
Joyeux Noël et bonne année !Merry Christmas and happy New Year!
Tu as eu la fève !You got the charm (in the galette)!
Qu’est-ce que tu fais pour le réveillon ?What are you doing for the Eve dinner?
C’est férié demain.Tomorrow’s a public holiday.
🔊 Example sentences
On fête le Nouvel An chez des amis.We celebrate New Year at friends’.
Le feu d’artifice commence à 23 heures.The fireworks start at 11 pm.
Je te souhaite une excellente année !I wish you an excellent year!
✍️ Practice
crêpe day = la ___ (2 February)
Show answer
Chandeleur
the lucky flower of 1 May = le ___ (lily of the valley)