February 1, 2022
La chandeleur, or candlemas, is a Christian holiday celebrated on February 2 that commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem. The French word chandeleur evokes the chandelles (candles) that were symbolically lit that day, Jesus being recognized as the “light of the world.”
Decades ago, French churches would distribute candles that had been blessed by the priest to parishioners for processions des lumières (processions of lights). Afterwards, families would return home and continue with an evening vigil around a large dish of crêpes. Their golden color and round shape recall the solar disk, and thus light, evoking the imminent return of spring after the dark and cold winter.
The festival is not without its superstitions. For example, if farmers didn’t make candlemas crêpes, it was believed that they would have a bad harvest the following year.
These days if you’re not religious, la chandeleur is simply crêpe day – a great excuse to eat a delicious crêpe! So without further ado, for my favorite places to celebrate la chandeleur in Paris, head to HiP Paris. Featuring:
