{"id":54475,"date":"2026-02-14T13:34:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T12:34:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/?p=54475"},"modified":"2026-01-21T05:37:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T04:37:16","slug":"how-to-celebrate-valentine-day-in-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/blog\/how-to-celebrate-valentine-day-in-france\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating Valentine\u2019s Day in France"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every February 14th, couples in France celebrate Valentine\u2019s Day with gifts, shared experiences, and special moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we\u2019ll explore the origins of Valentine&#8217;s Day, French romantic traditions and customs, and their vision of love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who was Saint Valentine?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another story says he healed his jailer\u2019s blind daughter and, before his execution, sent her a note signed \u201cFrom your Valentine\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How French couples actually celebrate Valentine\u2019s Day<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In France, many couples prefer to keep Valentine\u2019s Day simple and sincere, rather than making it commercial or extravagant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some ways the French like to celebrate Valentine\u2019s Day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Flowers:<\/strong> Red roses are the classic gift for lovers in France, symbolizing passion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Romantic dinners:<\/strong> Couples often enjoy a cozy evening at home or a quiet dinner together at a restaurant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gifts:<\/strong> Jewelry, fine chocolates, or handmade sweets are always popular choices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Romantic getaways:<\/strong> Spending a weekend in Paris or the Provence region is a classic way for French couples to celebrate love.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/gogo.france\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GGF-IG-Valentines-Day-2024-819x1024.png\" alt=\"valentine's day\" class=\"wp-image-81843\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GGF-IG-Valentines-Day-2024-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GGF-IG-Valentines-Day-2024-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GGF-IG-Valentines-Day-2024-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GGF-IG-Valentines-Day-2024.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Romantic Dos &amp; Don\u2019ts<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Knowing how the French approach romance can help you avoid cultural missteps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\ud83d\udc98 Do:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Focus on thoughtfulness and authenticity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose experiences over material objects when possible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep things elegant and personal<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\ud83d\udeab Don\u2019t:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Overdo clich\u00e9s like oversized teddy bears or overly flashy displays<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Treat Valentine\u2019s Day as a performance or competition<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What the French say about love<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Love has inspired many of France\u2019s greatest writers and thinkers, and their words still influence how people see romance today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Antoine de Saint-Exup\u00e9ry<\/strong>, author of Le Petit Prince, wrote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>L\u2019amour, ce n\u2019est pas se regarder l\u2019un l\u2019autre, c\u2019est regarder ensemble dans la m\u00eame direction.<br><\/strong><em>Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Victor Hugo<\/strong>, one of France\u2019s most celebrated writers, captured the emotional intensity of love with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Aimer, c\u2019est savoir dire je t\u2019aime sans parler.<br><\/strong><em>To love is to know how to say \u2018I love you\u2019 without speaking.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Jean d\u2019Ormession<\/strong>, prominent French novelist and distinguished member of the Acad\u00e9mie Fran\u00e7aise, wrote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Je t\u2019aime dans le temps. Je t\u2019aimerai jusqu\u2019au bout du temps. Et quand le temps sera \u00e9coul\u00e9, alors, je t\u2019aurai aim\u00e9e. Et rien de cet amour, comme rien de ce qui a \u00e9t\u00e9, ne pourra jamais \u00eatre effac\u00e9.<br><\/strong><em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Celebrating Valentine\u2019s Day as a single<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Valentine\u2019s Day in France isn\u2019t only for couples. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/gogo.france\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"798\" height=\"436\" src=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-7-1.png\" alt=\"valentine's day in france\" class=\"wp-image-81838\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-7-1.png 798w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-7-1-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GGF-blog-photo-watermarking-7-1-768x420.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to express love in French<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Words are an important part of Valentine\u2019s Day in France. Here are French words often used to express love:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>French<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>English<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Mon amour<\/strong><\/td><td>My love<\/td><td>Mon amour, tu es tout pour moi.<br><em>My love, you are everything to me.<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Mon ange<\/strong><\/td><td>My angel<\/td><td>Tu es mon ange, ma lumi\u00e8re dans l\u2019obscurit\u00e9.<br><em>You are my angel, my light in the darkness.<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Mon tr\u00e9sor<\/strong><\/td><td>My treasure<\/td><td>Tu seras toujours mon tr\u00e9sor le plus pr\u00e9cieux.<br><em>You will always be my most precious treasure.<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Mon c\u0153ur<\/strong><\/td><td>My heart<\/td><td>Mon c\u0153ur bat pour toi.<br><em>My heart beats for you.<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Mon ch\u00e9ri \/ ma ch\u00e9rie<\/strong><\/td><td>My darling<\/td><td>Mon ch\u00e9ri, je t\u2019adore plus que tout.<br><em>My darling, I adore you more than anything.<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to learn more, check out our article with more expressions and tips: <a href=\"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/blog\/how-do-french-people-express-love\/\"><strong>How do French people express love<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every February 14th, couples in France celebrate Valentine\u2019s Day with gifts, shared experiences, and special moments. In this article, we\u2019ll explore the origins of Valentine&#8217;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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":123,"featured_media":81850,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1233],"tags":[1486],"class_list":["post-54475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-french-culture","tag-celebration"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54475","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/123"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54475"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54475\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81850"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogofrance.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}