This week, February 2nd, is crepe day in France, la chandeleur in French, and Candlemas in English, when people feast on crêpes though no one is quite certain why. In any case, the ancient tradition, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin …
Why all the Chrysanthemums?
Today, November 1st is a public holiday in France — La Toussaint, or All Saints Day — when the Catholic church honours all the saints an martyrs of Christian history. Every All Saints Day, cemeteries all over France come alive (pun intended!) with people honouring their loved ones: weeding and tidying up graves, placing fresh …