Americans often spend February 2 huddled in the cold waiting for a groundhog to emerge from the earth, but the French have a much more fun way to spend the day. Every year on February 2, France In north America on 2 February, the point of mid-winter, they celebrate Groundhog Day. If you’ve ever seen the film you’ll know it’s the date on which a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his cosy hidey hole to predict the weather. According to legend, there’s only ever been one Phil – since 1886. Although crepes are eaten all year round in France, it’s tradition to eat crepes to celebrate “La Chandeleur” on February 2nd, precisely 40 days after Christmas, which happens to be Groundhog Day in certain parts of the world. Groundhog Day is one of the most superstitious holidays in the United States, though rest assured, Americans aren’t the only ones subject to mythical beliefs. Similarly, the French also celebrate a superstitious holiday on February 2nd, though it has little to do with marmots predicting the weather—and in classic French form, a lot more to Over time, Chandeleur also absorbed folkloric beliefs. One popular superstition holds that flipping a crêpe with one hand while holding a gold coin in the other ensures prosperity for the coming year. Another tradition says that if the weather on Chandeleur is clear, winter will last longer, echoing the Groundhog Day sentiment in North America. La Chandeleur and the US holiday Groundhog Day fall on the same date, February 2. The similarities don’t stop there: both are holidays with interesting roots that involve superstitions and forecasting the next year (Remember that some people even flip crepes on La Chandeleur to have good weather). It’s crepe time in France! On February 2 nd Americans have Groundhog Day; the French have. la Chandeleur, or the fête des chandelles (candles) which translates as Candlemass in English, referring to the blessing of candles which traditionally took place on this day. For Roman Catholics, it’s the feast of the Presentation of the infant Pour the juice of 2 oranges into a saucepan with the zest of 1 orange, 1/2 cup of butter (it's France after all), and 1/2 cup of sugar. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes until syrupy. Overlap pre-made crêpes folded into quarters into a flameproof dish such as a copper gratin pan. This week I propose we talk about the French “Chandeleur” (Candlemas), the French equivalent to “Groundhog day”, and about how it is celebrated in France. First of all, what is the French “Chandeleur”? The “Chandeleur” is originally a Christian commemoration that happens 40 days after Christmas, on February 2. As in the States with the groundhog, there’s a saying that if an otter sees its shadow on emerging from its burrow, it will go back in for 40 days. You can stay out, otters: not much chance of seeing the sun today You might also like: Épiphanie, the Day of the Three Kings, in France. Saint John’s Day Customs in France. French Solstice Groundhog Day is an "unusual holiday," according to the Farmers Almanac, that dates back centuries to European traditions. according to the almanac. France and England looked to the bear for a Groundhog Day was originally a Celtic festival celebrating the changing of the seasons. Before Punxsutawney Phil's rise to fame, bears predicted the weather in France and England, according to The observance of Groundhog Day in the United States first occurred in German communities in Pennsylvania, according to known records. The earliest mention of Groundhog Day is an entry on February 2, 1840, in the diary of James L. Morris of Morgantown, in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, according to the book on the subject by Don Yoder. This was a Groundhog Day may be one of the weirder American holidays. How did it come to be? Here is the origin story of Punxsutawney Phil and his predictions. News. France Français; Groundhog Day is an "unusual holiday," according to the Farmers Almanac, that dates back centuries to European traditions. according to the almanac. France and England looked to the bear for a Originally, Groundhog Day was a Celtic festival marking the year’s first cross-quarter day, or a midpoint between seasons. Read more about the ancient Celtic calendar here. Celebrated at the beginning of February, the day was called Imbolc —a term from Old Irish that is most often translated as “in the belly”—a reference to the soon In Punxsutawney, 1886 marked the first time that Groundhog Day appeared in the local newspaper. The following year brought the first official trek to Gobbler’s Knob. Each year since then has seen a steady increase in participation of the celebration from people all over the world. While most Americans celebrate February 2 as Groundhog Day, in France, this day marks la Chandeleur—a celebration that’s all about eating crêpes.This holiday is one that many French people look forward to, arriving not long after Christmas and the Feast of the Epiphany. French Proverbs and Sayings for Chandeleur . There are all kinds of French proverbs and sayings for Chandeleur; here are just a few. Note the similarities to the Groundhog Day predictions made in the US and Canada: À la Chandeleur, l'hiver cesse ou reprend vigueur On Candlemas, winter ends or gets worse À la Chandeleur, le jour croît de deux heures On Candlemas, the day grows by two hours En France, Renaud Séchan chantait “Dès que le vent soufflera, je REPARTIRA [] nous nous en ALLERONS”. 🙂 Bill Murray’s character in Groundhog Day is
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.