Toussaint

Les Chrysanthèmes arrivent  announces the poster in the supermarket, and we know that fall is well and truly here.  For chrysanthemums not only bring a welcome blaze of color to the shortening days, but are an essential part of French cultural life at this time of year.

November 1^st is La Toussaint, or All Saints Day, and is a public holiday in France. In addition, since the holiday falls on a Tuesday, many workers will benefit from an extra day, taking Monday off work too. Since the extra day bridges between the weekend and the holiday, it is known as faire le pont. Similarly, if the holiday falls on a Thursday, the Friday will also be a day off, creating a lovely four-day weekend. Students do even better, having a two-week half-term break right now.

Halloween (la veille de la Toussaint or All Hallows Eve) is not a traditional holiday in France, but each year now sees more and more influence from across the Atlantic, and our local supermarket has Halloween T-shirts, racks of spooky items and beautiful, locally-grown pumpkins.

Straight after Toussaint, La Fête des Morts is observed on November 2, and this is where the chrysanthemums figure so prominently. It is traditional on this date to place chrysanthemums on the grave of a loved one in the cemetery or churchyard. Not only is the whole entrance to the supermarket filled to overflowing with pots, but market stalls at the cemetery gates spread their displays across the sidewalk and ensure the freshest possible flowers.

Chopin at Pere Lachaise

One of the best-known cemeteries in France is le Cimetière du Père Lachaise in the 20^th arrondissement of Paris. Here you'll find the graves of many prominent people such as Chopin, Oscar Wilde, the painter Seurat and even rock star Jim Morrison. Check out the Père Lachaise website (and for you French teachers this makes a great class project).

On a lighter note, happy birthday to the Statue of Liberty! She was created by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and given as a gift from France to the American people on 28^th October 1886, 125 years ago.

best wishes from France...               Valerie

© 2011 Text and Images - Trevor and Valerie White