La Chandeleur: A French Tradition Beyond Pancakes
When you think of February in France, one celebration might come to mind before Valentine's Day: La Chandeleur! Known as Fête des Chandelles, this charming tradition is celebrated on 2nd February and is often associated with delicious crêpes. But La Chandeleur is about more than just food—it has deep historical and cultural roots that make it a fascinating part of French life.
The Origins of La Chandeleur
The name Chandeleur comes from the Latin candelarum, meaning candles. The festival has its origins in an ancient Roman feast called Lupercalia, which celebrated purification and fertility. Later, it was adapted by the Catholic Church as a feast marking the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, 40 days after Christmas. Traditionally, candles were blessed and carried in processions to symbolise light and hope.
Why Crêpes?
The connection between La Chandeleur and crêpes is believed to date back to the Middle Ages. Round and golden, crêpes symbolise the sun and the return of brighter days as winter gives way to spring. Farmers also saw making crêpes as a good luck ritual, ensuring prosperity for the coming harvest. According to tradition, flipping a crêpe with one hand while holding a coin in the other brings good fortune for the year ahead!
How the French Celebrate Today
In modern France, La Chandeleur is mostly an occasion to gather with family and friends to enjoy homemade crêpes. Whether topped with sugar, jam, Nutella, or even savoury fillings like ham and cheese, there's a crêpe for everyone! Schools, workplaces, and even restaurants join in the fun, with many offering special crêpe menus.
Fun French Expressions About Crêpes
Since La Chandeleur is all about crêpes, here are some fun French expressions related to this beloved dish:
"Avoir la crêpe au plafond" – (literally, "to have a crêpe on the ceiling") means to be completely fed up!
"Retourner quelqu'un comme une crêpe" – ("to flip someone like a crêpe") means to completely change someone’s opinion or mind.
Try It Yourself!
Why not bring a little La Chandeleur spirit into your home? Making crêpes is easy and fun. Here’s a simple crêpe recipe to try:
Ingredients:
250g flour
4 eggs
500ml milk
2 tbsp melted butter
1 tbsp sugar (optional for sweet crêpes)
A pinch of salt
Instructions:
In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt.
Make a well in the centre and add the eggs.
Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
Stir in the melted butter.
Let the batter rest for 30 minutes.
Heat a pan, grease lightly, and pour in a ladle of batter, tilting the pan to spread it thinly.
Cook for about a minute, then flip and cook the other side.
Serve with your favourite toppings and enjoy!
Bonne Chandeleur !
At Bonjour Tutoring, we love sharing French traditions with our students. Learning about culture through food is a great way to connect with the language and make learning fun. Whether you’re perfecting your French skills or simply enjoying a delicious crêpe, La Chandeleur is a wonderful tradition to celebrate.
Have you ever tried making crêpes? Let us know in the comments!
