…French Celebration Of Two Related Holidays
Catholics around the world celebrate All Saints’ Day on November 1 every year. This is followed by their observance of All Souls’ Day on November 2. While these two holidays are related to each other, only the former is celebrated as a public holiday in many countries, including France.
France observes “La Toussaint” (All Saints’ Day), a holy day of obligation, in honor of all the saints recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. On the other hand, “Le Jour des Morts” (All Souls’ Day) is an occasion for remembering departed family members and friends. But since Le Jour des Morts is not a “jour ferie” (public holiday) in France, people visit cemeteries in conjunction with their observance of La Toussaint – on November 1.
La Toussaint and Le Jour des Morts actually fall within the first of five sets of school holidays in France, which is a 12-day school break that begins around the third week of October. As such, many families use both occasions as an opportunity to be together by taking a short trip or a brief vacation.
Traditionally, of course, these holidays are a time for attending special church services and for visiting cemeteries. People place flowers or wreaths on graves. Chrysanthemums are a popular symbol during these occasions, and they are used to decorate churches and cemeteries. Along with these, churches are likewise adorned with candles, banners, and such other things that are associated with remembering the dead. Many cemeteries, particularly those in the south-central and northwest regions, are decorated with stone lanterns.
Churches are draped with folds of black cloth on the eve of Le Jour des Morts. People can be heard singing funeral songs, reciting prayers, and telling stories about the dead. A special supper in honor of the dead is partaken at midnight, which traditionally consists of black grain, pancakes, and milk.
All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in France may also be an occasion for people to visit any of the various cemeteries where famous people are interred. Some examples are the Cimetire de Batignolles in France (final resting place of French poets Paul-Marie Verlaine and Andr Breton), the Grand Jas Cemetery in Cannes (burial place of French film actress Martine Carol and Russian-French jeweler Peter Carl Faberg), and the Saint Remi Basilica in Reims (where the remains of Louis IV and Lothair I are known to be interred in unidentified graves).
Holidays in France are taken seriously. What this means is that during such public holidays as La Toussaint, places that teem with activities on ordinary days are generally quiet. Banks, post offices, stores, and most other business establishments are closed. The only certain exceptions are flower shops and, perhaps, some stores in Paris.
Schedules of public transport service during the holidays may likewise be different from those of regular working days. Those wishing to visit France during the La Toussaint-Le Jour des Morts holidays should make arrangements for their transport based on where they will stay and where they plan to go around.