Every February 14th, couples in France celebrate Valentine’s Day with gifts, shared experiences, and special moments.
In this article, we’ll explore the origins of Valentine’s Day, French romantic traditions and customs, and their vision of love.
Who was Saint Valentine?
Legend says Valentine was a priest who secretly married young couples, even though Emperor Claudius II had banned soldiers from marrying. Because he believed in love, he was imprisoned and executed on February 14th, a date now linked with romance.
Another story says he healed his jailer’s blind daughter and, before his execution, sent her a note signed “From your Valentine”.
How French couples actually celebrate Valentine’s Day
In France, many couples prefer to keep Valentine’s Day simple and sincere, rather than making it commercial or extravagant.
Here are some ways the French like to celebrate Valentine’s Day:
- Flowers: Red roses are the classic gift for lovers in France, symbolizing passion.
- Romantic dinners: Couples often enjoy a cozy evening at home or a quiet dinner together at a restaurant.
- Gifts: Jewelry, fine chocolates, or handmade sweets are always popular choices.
- Romantic getaways: Spending a weekend in Paris or the Provence region is a classic way for French couples to celebrate love.
Romantic Dos & Don’ts
Knowing how the French approach romance can help you avoid cultural missteps.
💘 Do:
- Focus on thoughtfulness and authenticity
- Choose experiences over material objects when possible
- Keep things elegant and personal
🚫 Don’t:
- Overdo clichés like oversized teddy bears or overly flashy displays
- Treat Valentine’s Day as a performance or competition
What the French say about love
Love has inspired many of France’s greatest writers and thinkers, and their words still influence how people see romance today.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of Le Petit Prince, wrote:
L’amour, ce n’est pas se regarder l’un l’autre, c’est regarder ensemble dans la même direction.
Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.
Victor Hugo, one of France’s most celebrated writers, captured the emotional intensity of love with:
Aimer, c’est savoir dire je t’aime sans parler.
To love is to know how to say ‘I love you’ without speaking.
Jean d’Ormession, prominent French novelist and distinguished member of the Académie Française, wrote:
Je t’aime dans le temps. Je t’aimerai jusqu’au bout du temps. Et quand le temps sera écoulé, alors, je t’aurai aimée. Et rien de cet amour, comme rien de ce qui a été, ne pourra jamais être effacé.
I love you in time. I will love you until the end of time. And when time has run out, then I will have loved you. And nothing of that love, just as nothing of what has been, can ever be erased.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day as a single
Valentine’s Day in France isn’t only for couples. It’s a time to celebrate all kinds of love, including self-love and friendship. Singles can enjoy the day by treating themselves to a spa visit or a special meal. The day is about celebrating love in all its forms.
How to express love in French
Words are an important part of Valentine’s Day in France. Here are French words often used to express love:
| French | English | Example |
| Mon amour | My love | Mon amour, tu es tout pour moi. My love, you are everything to me. |
| Mon ange | My angel | Tu es mon ange, ma lumière dans l’obscurité. You are my angel, my light in the darkness. |
| Mon trésor | My treasure | Tu seras toujours mon trésor le plus précieux. You will always be my most precious treasure. |
| Mon cœur | My heart | Mon cœur bat pour toi. My heart beats for you. |
| Mon chéri / ma chérie | My darling | Mon chéri, je t’adore plus que tout. My darling, I adore you more than anything. |
If you want to learn more, check out our article with more expressions and tips: How do French people express love
