Candlemas arrives at the heart of winter, when November, December, January, and February stretch endlessly in France.
The cold seeps into the streets, the sky hangs low, and nature seems to hold its breath.
Trees stand bare, their dark trunks stark against the grey horizon.
Snow and ice, when they arrive, transform the landscape into a frozen tableau, beautiful yet inconvenient, slowing everything down.
Once the warmth of Christmas and New Year’s festivities fades, January and February stretch on without much to break the monotony—unless, of course, you count the winter sales, which bring a different kind of excitement for bargain hunters.
But for centuries, people in France, and across Europe, have known that February needs a touch of brightness.
That’s why, at the heart of this dreary season, traditions have flourished—celebrations that bring warmth, light, and, most importantly, good food.
One of the most beloved is Candlemas, or as we call it, la Chandeleur.
Watch a short video presentation of La Chandeleur:
Traditions and Origins of Candlemas
In France, February kicks off with Candlemas on the 2nd—a date that falls exactly 40 days after Christmas.
For the Catholic Church, this marks the final festivity of the Nativity cycle, closing the chapter on the Christmas season.
The Presentation of Jesus to the Temple
This religious celebration commemorates the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem, an event recorded in the Gospel of Luke.
When Mary and Joseph arrive at the Temple, they encounter Simeon, an old man who immediately recognises Jesus as the Messiah.
His words, often referred to as the Canticle of Simeon, have resonated through the centuries.
The Gospel of Luke (2:22-40) tells the story as follows:
The journey to Jerusalem
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
Simeon’s praise
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismissc] your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
Simon’s prophecy
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Prophetess Anna
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.d] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
(Source: NIV, Bible Gateway)
The Pagan Origins of Candlemas
Before Candlemas was a Christian celebration, it had its roots in something much older: the Roman festival of Lupercalia.
Held from the 13th to the 15th of February, it honoured Faunus, the god of forests and fertility.
The ceremonies were anything but solemn—think of young men dressed in little more than goatskin loincloths, running through the streets and playfully whipping women with strips of leather.
As strange as it sounds, this was believed to promote fertility and ensure a fruitful year ahead.
Echoes of an Ancient Roman Festival
Lupercalia was deeply tied to Rome’s founding mythology.
It was said to have originated from the legend of Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers who were nursed by a she-wolf in a cave known as the Lupercal.
The festival’s rituals took place in that very cave, reinforcing its sacred and ancient significance.
Priests known as Luperci would perform sacrifices of goats and dogs, smearing their foreheads with the sacrificial blood before running through the streets with thongs cut from the goat’s hide.
Another key aspect of Lupercalia involved lighting torches and candles to drive away evil spirits—a practice that was later absorbed into the Christian observance of Candlemas.
It was also seen as a festival of purification, aligning with Roman traditions of cleansing and renewal.
According to local customs, candles had to be lit at midnight to symbolise purification.
Therefore, the French word Chandeleur comes from the Latin “candelarum”.
It gave the English word ‘candle’.
The festival was wildly popular, so much so that when Christianity began to take hold in Rome, Church leaders struggled to suppress it.
The end of the Lupercalia tradition
In 494 AD, Pope Gelasius I officially banned Lupercalia, denouncing its pagan rituals while attempting to redirect its themes of purification and light toward a more pious celebration.
Instead of torches, Christians now carried candles, symbolising Christ as the light of the world.
Candle-lit processions replaced the old Roman revelry, but the connection to fire and renewal remained intact, linking the new religious tradition to the ancient customs of Rome.
He wrote a vehement letter to all Christians to end this widespread practice.
In reality, the aim was to resolve political quarrels with the aristocracy rather than to fight a pagan festival.
Thus, in 494, “chandelles” (candles) were associated with Candlemas by Gelasius I.
The pope was the first to organise torchlight processions on 2 February.
However, the Byzantine conquest under Justinian in the 6th century ended the Lupercalia festivities.
So, Where Do the Crêpes Come In?
The link between candles and crêpes might not be immediately obvious, but there’s a logic to it.
Candlemas also coincided with the start of winter sowing, a crucial moment in the agricultural calendar.
Farmers, hoping for a prosperous harvest, would use up their remaining flour to make crêpes—simple, round, golden, and reminiscent of the sun, a symbol of renewal and the coming of spring.
Over time, folklore added its own touch.
One superstition claimed that flipping a crêpe with one hand while holding a gold coin in the other would bring prosperity for the year ahead. (Let’s just say, that if my financial future depended on my pancake-flipping skills, I’d be in trouble.)
Candlemas today: Crêpes Day
In modern France, Candlemas has become synonymous with crêpes.
On the evening of February 2nd, families gather around the stove, batter at the ready, filling their homes with the scent of sizzling butter and caramelised sugar.
The tradition is alive not only in France but also in Belgium and parts of Switzerland, where it’s equally cherished.
Some old customs still persist.
A few insist that crêpes should only be eaten after 8 pm on Candlemas night—though no one seems to remember why.
Others maintain the tradition of flipping the first crêpe without dropping it, a lighthearted challenge that adds a bit of fun to the evening.
A gold Louis coin on the left-hand
At the beginning of the 20th century, a new superstition emerged in France.
On Candlemas, the first pancake had to be popped into the pan with the right hand while holding a gold Louis in the left hand. The coin was then rolled into the pancake and placed in a cupboard for a year.
After this long period, the coin was recovered and given to a destitute person. If the family respected the tradition, it would enjoy a long period of prosperity. Later, a simple coin in the hand when the pancake was popped was enough to give a glimpse of future wealth.
Today the coin has disappeared, but the ritual of blowing the pancake is still present in the kitchens. If it falls, you know the rule, you will have to take a pledge!
5 Sayings About Candlemas in France
There are several proverbs and sayings about Candlemas in France.
Here are five of them with their translation into English:
“À la Chandeleur, l’hiver se meurt ou prend vigueur.”
(At Candlemas, winter dies or gains strength.)
“À la Chandeleur, le jour croît d’une heure.”
(At Candlemas, the day grows by an hour.)
“Rosée à la Chandeleur, l’hiver à sa dernière heure.”
(Dew on Candlemas, winter in its last hour.)
“Si le ciel n’est ni clair ni beau, nous aurons plus de vin que d’eau.”
(If the sky is neither clear nor beautiful, we will have more wine than water.)
“Chandeleur à ta porte, c’est la fin des feuilles mortes.”
(Candlemas at your door is the end of the dead leaves.)
These proverbs reflect a time when people closely observed the seasons and sought meaning in small natural changes.
Even today, they offer a poetic reminder that little by little, the days are getting longer, and spring is just around the corner.
Finding the Perfect Crêpe Recipe
For years, we followed a crêpe recipe that I inherited from my mother.
It was simple, reliable, and easy to make.
But after a trip to Brittany a year and a half ago, I started searching for something even better—something with that perfect balance of flavour and texture.
And I found it. This new recipe has become a favourite in our house, and if you’re curious, I’ve shared it here.
Find out more!
- Find out more about Winter in France on our French blog.
- Try our favourite Crêpes recipe.
- Read more on Wikipedia.
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