Welcome to France this Valentine’s season! While Paris is known as the city of love, Valentine celebrations across France have their own unique twist. As you plan your romantic French getaway, here are 10 surprises about how the French celebrate their holiday of love. These France Valentine facts will enthrall you to get a France Visa and spend Valentine week in France with your special one.
10 things you didn’t know about France Valentine Celebration
Valentine’s Day and romance go hand-in-hand in France. But beyond the typical chocolates and roses, there are some unique twists. Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about how Valentine’s Day in France is celebrated.
1. Valentine’s Day Originated in France or Should We Say “French”!
While stories say St. Valentine was imprisoned in Rome, the first-ever Valentine’s missive actually originated in France in 1415. The Duke of Orleans penned a romantic “French poem” to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London after the Battle of Agincourt. This poetic Valentine note is credited as the first modern Valentine greeting!
2. Locks of Love on Paris Bridges
Strolling along the Seine River in Paris, you’ll notice countless padlocks locked onto the city’s iconic bridges. Couples affix these “love locks” marked with their names and toss the key into the river as a symbol of their unbreakable love. Some bridges even have love lock trees or wire sculptures overflowing with thousands of colorful locks. With a France Schengen Visa, you can checkout this romantic tradition to celebrate your bond and recall your wedding vows!
3. Perfume is a Popular France Valentine Gift
While you may expect to gift chocolate or jewelry for Valentine’s Day, perfume and fragrances are a top romantic valentine gift in France. French perfumes from Parisian houses like Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Jean Paul Gaultier make luxurious statement gifts. For a unique memento, customized perfumes blended with your beloved’s scent are available too.
4. France Valentine Messages are Sent Anonymously
The French keep Valentine’s Day light-hearted with anonymous little paper Valentines messages called cartes d’amitié. Children and adults surprise their friends, family and crushes by secretly slipping these cute cards and notes into mailboxes and under doors on February 14.
5. There’s a Valentine’s Day Marathon
For athletic couples, France hosts the Valentine’s Day Marathon getting hearts pumping in February. Runners race past beautiful scenery over the full marathon, half marathon, 10k or 5k distance. The festive race atmosphere and finisher medals spread the love among athletes. Undertake this marathon with your spouse and celebrate this special day in France Valentine way.
6. Chocolate and Flowers are still King
Like many places, the French gift elaborate chocolate boxes and bouquets of red roses for their Valentines. However, France Valentine has high standards. These edible and floral gifts are truly exceptional in France. Luxury gourmet chocolates, long-stemmed roses, and rare orchids express even deeper affection.
7. Galette des Amoureux Tarts are Popular
Indulge your sweetheart with a Galette des Amoureux, the France Valentine version of famous Galette de Rois cake. These fruit tarts are filled with raspberry or apricot jam, topped with a big heart, dusted in powdered sugar, and inscribed “Bonne Saint Valentin” instead of a paper crown.
8. Blonde Miettes Pastries are a Specialty
For Valentine’s Day, French pâtisseries create delicate pastel-colored Blonde Miettes cookies. Heart and flower-shaped, iced with white and pink glaze, and decorated with sparkling sugar, these butter cookies melt-in-your-mouth and crumble easily. The name “blonde miettes,” meaning “blond crumbs,” suits their delicate texture.
9. Wine & Romantic Picnics are Common on France Valentine Day
Spending Valentine’s Day with a bottle of French wine and a picnic basket of cheeses, charcuterie, and baguettes is very romantic. With bountiful produce, wines and open spaces, the French countryside lends itself to idyllic al fresco dining for two on Valentine’s Day.
10. There’s a Village of Love in France – Saint Valentin
Nestled amid the idyllic countryside of eastern France lies the quaint village of Saint Valentin, an unassuming commune that has charmed visitors for centuries with its beauty and tranquillity. Yet beyond its cobblestone streets and flowering gardens, Saint Valentin radiates an aura of romance that inspired regional authorities to crown it the official Village of Love this year.
As couples meander hand-in-hand along the tree-lined promenade by the river, they now feel enveloped in an ambience infused with affection. The village’s little cafés and shops bursting with crafts, gifts, and sweets kindle sparks between loved-up visitors too. So for couples seeking romantic escape from modern life’s rush, Saint Valentin promises an intimate retreat to rekindle relationships and rediscover passion!
Weather in France in February: Travel tips & more for perfect France Valentine getaway
1). Weather:
France in February observes an average daily temperature of 8 degrees Celsius and 3 degrees Celsius at night. The French capital, Paris and its neighborhoods in North are likely to experience showers and snow in February. This time is ideal to enjoy a stroll along the famous museums and attractions without the tourist crowds.
Towards the southern part of the country, you can expect sunny and warm weather, with average temperature of 12 degrees Celsius during day. However, temperature in the eastern part of France lowers as much as -9.6 degrees Celsius. You can expect a daily fresh snowfall here.
2). Travel Tips, Crowds and More:
- February is one of the coldest months and one of the busiest ski months of the year in France. Ensure packing winter gear such as waterproof boots, coats, sweaters and windproof jackets. If you are an adrenaline junkie, you can indulge in various winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and off-piste sledding.
- February is a pretty much offseason – that means you can expect significantly cheaper flights, transport and accommodation options.
- With lesser tourist crowds, February in France is an ideal time to explore French monuments and attractions in all their grandeur with your spouse. Spend time in Paris, the City of Lights, explore world-class art at the Louvre and watch the famous Eiffel tower and Notre Dame Cathedral.
- If you want to enjoy sunny weather, head to Menton. You can relish a stroll along the French Riviera in a light jacket or jumper. Besides, you can partake in the vibrant Menton Lemon Festival from February 17 to March 2, 2024.
- France in February hosts some of the best French festivals and events. While in France with your Valentine, you can be a part of these lively events in February 2024. Some of such events are discussed below.
Other Events in France in February besides Valentine Week Celebration
Besides the vivacious Valentine’s Day celebrations and valentine decorations, there are a number of interesting events that you can attend with your partner and create memories for life. We have hand-picked 5 top-notch events in France in February you can be a part of with a France Tourist visa.
1). Mimosa Season Brightens the French Riviera
Escape the winter blues at the Mimosa Festival in Mandelieu-La-Napoule from February 14-18. Millions of sweet-smelling yellow blooms herald the arrival of spring on the Côte d’Azur. Enjoy lively parades, singing, and dancing during this joyful event that locals affectionately call “yellow suns.
2). Motor Mayhem at Enduropale
Rev your engines for the wild and noisy Enduropale race on the beaches of Le Touquet, Stella, and Merlimont from February 2-4. See over 150,000 spectators cheer on thousands of motorbikes and quad bikes as they race at breakneck speeds across the sand. Feel the excitement at one of France’s most popular motorsport weekends.
3). Wine and Dine at the Calais Fair
Sip and savor at the Calais Wine and Food Fair from February 2-4. Sample wines from all over France while enjoying regional culinary delights. Get free entry and a souvenir tasting glass at this weekend extravaganza at the Forum Gambetta.
4). Party at the Granville Carnival
Join the revelry at the Granville Mardi Gras from February 9-13. Dating back to 1872, this famous carnival features flamboyant costumes, lively parades, all-night celebrations, and thousands of visitors. Masks on and inhibitions off during five days of fun on the Normandy coast.
5). Citrus Sculptures Bloom at Menton’s Lemon Festival
Gaze in wonder at towering lemon and orange structures at the Lemon Festival in Menton from February 17 to March 3. This hugely popular event attracts visitors from around the world to admire the colorful citrus creations. When life gives you lemons, build a sculpture!
So, as you travel in France this February, keep an eye out for these unique Valentine’s Day surprises and other enthralling events! From love lock bridges to champagne corks popping, embrace new romantic traditions and vibrant festivities with your Valentine. Simply fill the France visa application online to apply for France visa from UK. Once you get your visa, fly to France with your loved one to celebrate and give an eternal meaning to your bond. After all, as the French say – c’est la vie (That’s Life)!
FAQs
The French often enjoy romantic picnics with wine, cheese, charcuterie and pastries like heart-shaped Galette des Amoureux tarts or delicate Blonde Miettes cookies. Chocolates and flowers also make beloved gifts.
Customized perfume is a signature French Valentine’s Day gift. With world-famous perfume houses in Paris, having a fragrance specially blended to match your Valentine’s essence makes a meaningful romantic gift.
The Mimosa Season is celebrated with the Mimosa Festival in Mandelieu-La-Napoule, occurring from February 14-18. It features millions of yellow blooms, signifying the arrival of spring, along with lively parades, singing, and dancing.
The Granville Mardi Gras, from February 9-13, is a carnival with a history dating back to 1872. It features flamboyant costumes, lively parades, all-night celebrations, and thousands of visitors, all happening on the Normandy coast.
The very first modern Valentine greeting dates back to 1415 France. While imprisoned in the Tower of London after battle, the Duke of Orleans wrote a love poem to his wife, pioneering the tradition of romantic missives we know today.
