Festivals and celebrations in France

Discover how people in France celebrate through the year, and describe traditions using on (we / people).

Practise this lesson free (7 questions)

Through the year

DateFestivalWhat people do
1 janvierle jour de l'AnBonne année ! (Happy New Year!)
early Januaryla fête des RoisOn mange la galette des rois. Inside there is a small charm, la fève. Whoever finds it wears a crown.
2 févrierla ChandeleurOn mange des crêpes.
1 avrille poisson d'avrilChildren stick paper fish on people's backs and play jokes.
21 juinla fête de la MusiqueFree concerts in the streets.
14 juilletla fête nationaleFireworks (les feux d'artifice) and a military parade in Paris.
25 décembreNoëlOn mange une bûche de Noël (a yule log cake). Joyeux Noël !

Why 14 July?

The fête nationale remembers la prise de la Bastille, the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on 14 July 1789, at the start of the French Revolution.
People often just call it le 14 Juillet.

Describing traditions

Use on + the il / elle form of the verb: on mange, on regarde, on fête (we celebrate).
À Noël, on ouvre les cadeaux. = At Christmas, we open the presents.
Greetings: Bonne année ! Joyeux Noël ! Joyeuses Pâques ! Bon anniversaire !
Worked example

Translate: On the 14th of July, we watch the fireworks.

  1. On the 14th of July: le 14 juillet (no word for on).
  2. we watch: on regarde.
  3. the fireworks: les feux d'artifice.

Answer: Le 14 juillet, on regarde les feux d'artifice.

Key idea

La Chandeleur (2 February): crêpes. La galette des rois (January): find la fève. Le poisson d'avril (1 April). La fête nationale (14 July): fireworks. Describe traditions with on + verb: on mange, on regarde.

Common mistakes
Quick check

Try two quick questions

See if it has sunk in. Answers are marked straight away.

Extra practice

2 more questions

Try each one, then tap to check.

  1. On which date is la Chandeleur?

    1. 2 February
    2. 14 July
    3. 25 December
    4. 1 April
    Show the answer

    Answer: 2 February

    La Chandeleur is on 2 February.

  2. What does le 14 Juillet remember?

    1. the end of a war
    2. the storming of the Bastille in 1789
    3. Christmas
    4. the new year
    Show the answer

    Answer: the storming of the Bastille in 1789

    Le 14 Juillet remembers the storming of the Bastille.

Check you have got it

Answer 7 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.

Practise this lesson free (7 questions)All KS3 French lessons

Video for this lesson coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube

Sources and references

Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.