2 Fevrier - Fête de la Chandeleur …et Dégustation de Crêpes!

In France, the month of February starts with the celebration of La Chandeleur  (Candlemas) – which occurs on the 2nd, which is 40 days after Christmas.

The origins of la Chandeleur date back to a pagan feast: according to local customs, candles had to be lit at midnight as a symbol of purification. Chandeleur comes from the latin “candelarum” as does the English word ‘candle’.

The Church adapted the tradition into the blessing of the candles, which were to repel Evil, thus reminding all that Christ is the light of the world. Christians would then come back to their homes with the blessed candles in order to protect them.

Nowadays la Chandeleur it’s a family time most simply associated with eating crêpes, the delicious thin French pancakes. Most sources say that in France, the crêpes round shape and color symbolize the sun and the return of the light which ties in with the tradition of celebrating this holiday of lights. Now that crêpes are part of the tradition, most people still call it la Chandeleur. 

And of course, there is the coin ritual – if you flip a crepe while holding a coin in your other hand and the crêpe lands perfectly in the pan, you are expected to enjoy good fortune for the rest of the year.

You don’t have to wait to eat crêpes on crêpe day. You can usually find them throughout France on little street corners coffee shops, at markets and they are very yummy!

Have you ever made crêpes? Do you like crêpes?

Here is a RECIPE you can use to make crêpes. It is super easy! There is also a video below you can watch.

                                            How to make French Crêpes

How to eat crêpes on Chandeleur

The interesting link between ‘Crêpe Day’ and “Groundhog Day’

Now you know that national crêpe day is actually called la Chandeleur in French or Candlemas in English. But do you know that crêpe day which falls on the 2^nd of February is also the same as Groundhog Day?

The two don’t sound like they are related but they actually are. The groundhog tradition actually stems from and shares some of the same weather folklore or beliefs, which are associated with Candlemas Day, and the days of early Christians in Europe.

If on the 2^nd of February (Groundhog Day in the United States and Canada) the groundhog sees its shadow, this means thirty days of winter still remain and it goes back into its hole. If the groundhog does not see its shadow then spring is right around the corner.

I came across numerous proverbs warning of the consequences of specific weather at Chandeleur. “Soleil de la Chandeleur, announce hiver et malheur” (if it’s sunny at Candlemas day, winter will continue bringing bad luck). Others warned of 40 days lost if snow was still on the ground “Chandeleur couverte, quarante jours de perte” and even the exact opposite of the first, heralding in good news if the day was fine: “Si la chandelle est belle et Claire, nous avons l’hiver derrière.”

Bonne fête et bon appétit!