Wondering what La Chandeleur is and why it’s celebrated?
Well you’re in the right place. One of the things I love about living in France is the many traditions that often originated in Medieval times and are still honoured today.
And one of those is La Chandeleur pronounced as “shan-duh-lur”, and also known as Candlemas.
I love how so many French Christmas traditions revolve around food. Bûche de Noël is a chocolate log, Galette des Rois is a Kings Cake and La Chandeleur, is all about eating crêpes.
I mean who doesn’t love crêpes? Just the smell of them being cooked gets me every time.
Well, if you love crêpes as much as I do then you’ll love this French Christmas tradition.
When and what is La Chandeleur?
It’s a holiday celebrated in France on February 2nd every year. It marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of spring.
It’s a time of rich traditions and superstitions that have been passed down from generation to generation.
The History and Significance of La Chandeleur
La Chandeleur has its roots in both pagan and Christian celebrations. In pagan times, it was a festival that honoured the goddess of the hearth and celebrated the return of spring.
In the Christian tradition, it marks the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, when Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to be consecrated to God.
This event is also known as Candlemas because of the candles that were lit in the church in honour of the occasion.
It’s a time of celebration and renewal, as the end of winter is symbolized by the return of the sun and the arrival of spring.
This is where the crêpes come into play.
Crêpes symbolize the sun, and it’s believed that flipping them while cooking with your right hand and holding a coin in your left will bring good fortune for the coming year.
Traditions and Superstitions of La Chandeleur
Eating Crêpes: Eating crêpes on La Chandeleur is also considered lucky. It’s believed that the more crêpes you eat, the more wealth and prosperity you’ll have in the coming year.
Lighting Candles: In many parts of France, it’s customary to light candles and place them in windows to bring light and warmth to the home.
Blessing the Home: On La Chandeleur, its traditional to bless the home by carrying a candle around it and saying a prayer for protection and good fortune. It’s a way to purify the home and start the new year with a clean slate.
Divination: La Chandeleur is also a time for divination, when people try to predict the future. For example, it’s believed that if the sun shines on La Chandeleur, spring will come early. If it rains, the winter will be long and harsh.
Planting Seeds: La Chandeleur is also a time to plant seeds, symbolizing the start of the growing season and the return of spring. In some parts of France, it’s customary to plant onions or leeks, as they are believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
La Chandeleur and Love: In some regions of France, La Chandeleur is also a time to predict love and marriage. For example, it is believed that if a woman drops a crêpe while cooking, she’ll be married within the year.
I love these traditions and just hope that when I make my crêpes, I don’t drop them. The last thing I want is a long harsh winter.
The Different Types of Crêpes
Crêpes are thought to have originated in Brittany where they’re traditionally made with buckwheat flour. As a Brit, I’m used to pancakes made with white flour and sprinkled with sugar and lemon.
We usually have them on Shrove Tuesday to celebrate the start of Lent. When I was little, my Mum would make several of them and we’d literally eat them as they came out the pan.
Here in France though, it isn’t just the sweet variety you’ll see, as both sweet and savoury are popular. And for La Chandeleur a crêpe is often washed down with a glass of cider.
Sweet Crêpes
Crêpes Suzette: Crêpes Suzette are crêpes made with orange liqueur and sugar, and then flambéed with Grand Marnier.
Nutella Crêpes: Nutella is perfect for the chocolate lovers with a sweet tooth
Sugar Crêpes: Sprinkled with sugar and lemon juice these are the traditional ones from my childhood we had on pancake day
Fruit Crêpes: Filled with fresh fruit, such as strawberries, bananas, or blueberries, and then topped with whipped cream or ice cream.
Savoury Crêpes
Ham and Cheese Crêpes: One of the most popular savoury varieties, filled with cooked ham and melted cheese.
Ratatouille Crêpes: I haven’t tried these but they’re a traditional French dish made from stewed vegetables.
Seafood Crêpes: These are yummy and filled with seafood, such as shrimp, scallops, or crab, along with cheese and herbs.
Mushroom Crêpes: Filled with sautéed mushrooms, cheese, and herbs they’re a great vegetarian option.
FAQS: The Tradition of La Chandeleur
What is La Chandeleur in French?
La Chandeleur is a French holiday celebrated on February 2nd. Originating from both Christian and pagan traditions, it’s often considered France’s version of “Groundhog Day”, where the weather for the rest of winter is predicted.
What is the symbolism of La Chandeleur?
The day is symbolic of purification and light. In Christian tradition, it marks the day Jesus was presented in the temple. Candles are often lit in churches to symbolize the “light of the world.” In older, pagan traditions, it was a day to celebrate the return of longer days.
Is La Chandeleur the same as Pancake Day?
No, La Chandeleur and Pancake Day are not the same, although they share similarities. Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is a Christian event that takes place right before Lent, and pancakes are eaten to use up rich foods like eggs and milk. La Chandeleur also involves pancakes but is celebrated on February 2nd for different symbolic reasons.
What food is eaten on La Chandeleur in France?
On La Chandeleur, the main dish is crêpes. These thin, flat pancakes are often enjoyed with a variety of fillings, from Nutella to cheese and ham. The act of flipping the crêpe in the pan is also thought to bring good luck if done successfully.
Final thoughts on La Chandeleur
As far as I’m concerned anything that allows me to keep Christmas going for a bit longer is fine by me. And if it involves crêpes, even better.
At the end of the day, whether you prefer sweet or savoury, there is a crêpe for everyone!
The post La Chandeleur: A French Christmas Tradition of Candlemas appeared first on Life in Rural France.
