How to Celebrate La Chandeleur, France’s Crêpe Day
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While most Americans celebrate February 2 as Groundhog Day, in France, this day marks la Chandeleur—a celebration that’s all about eating crêpes. This holiday is one that many French people look forward to, arriving not long after Christmas and the Feast of the Epiphany.
When I lived in Lorient, in Brittany (France’s crêpe capital), this day was an especially big deal. My boyfriend and I picked up crêpes from a small vendor at the city food hall, pre-made and ready to douse in all of the toppings: honey (my favorite), confiture, dark chocolate, and apple compote.
La Chandeleur is such a fun French tradition to partake in, even if you’re not in France. Here’s everything you need to know about la Chandeleur, its history, and how to celebrate France’s Crêpe Day, no matter where you are.
In this Article…
What is La Chandeleur?
La Chandeleur, also known as Candlemas, is a holiday rooted in both Christian and pagan traditions. In Christianity, it’s the feast day commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple. During the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I organized candlelight processions—hence the name “Candlemas”—and even handed out pancakes to pilgrims arriving that day in Rome.
The tradition of eating pancakes on February 2 began with pagan festivals, centuries before la Chandeleur became a Christian celebration. Both the Celts and Romans held torchlit festivals to honor the return of light after long, dark winters. Traditionally, people would light candles to symbolize hope and the return of longer days.
Over time, these festivities became linked to the earth’s fertility, and peasants got into the habit of cooking pancakes with leftover flour from last year. With their round shape and golden color, pancakes came to symbolize light, the sun and the arrival of spring.
Today, la Chandeleur in France is less about religion and more about tradition. It’s now a day to gather with family and eat crêpes at home.
It’s said that flipping a crêpe with your right hand while holding a gold coin in your left brings good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. Some families will even put the first crêpe on top of a cupboard or in a drawer instead of eating it.
Much like Groundhog Day in the U.S., la Chandeleur comes with its own weather lore. Rain on February 2 is said to predict 40 more days of wet weather, while clear skies signal the approach of spring.
Believer or skeptic, one thing is certain—la Chandeleur is the perfect excuse to enjoy crêpes.
Chandeleur Meaning
La Chandeleur translates to "Candlemas" in English. The word chandeleur comes from chandeleuse which in turn originates from the word chandelle, meaning "candle" in French.
The name also traces back to the Latin phrase festa candelarum, meaning "candlelight celebrations."
History of Crêpes in France
Crêpes have a long history that goes back even before their arrival in France, but they’ve become a major part of French culture. Their origins in l'Hexagone date back to the 13th century, with Brittany often considered the birthplace of the French crêpe.
Originally made with buckwheat, which was brought back from the Crusades in Asia, crêpes started as a savory dish known as galettes. They evolved into the sweet crêpe many of us know today with the introduction of white wheat flour in the early 20th century.
Now, crêpes are a popular treat served at crêperies across France, often enjoyed with a bowl of sweet or dry cider. Today, you’ll find people enjoying both savory and sweet crêpes on Crêpe Day in France as a way to welcome the brighter days ahead.
When is National Crêpe Day?
In France, National Crêpe Day—la Chandeleur—is celebrated on February 2, exactly 40 days after Christmas.
Galettes vs Crêpes
Galettes are savory crêpe made with buckwheat flour, giving them a heartier flavor and making them naturally gluten-free. They’re larger, savory, and often used as a main course, usually filled with ingredients like cheese, eggs, and ham. The French enjoy galettes any time of day—breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Sweet crêpes use a basic batter made with eggs, milk, and all-purpose flour. These crêpes are typically smaller and served as a dessert, often topped with caramel, honey, chocolate, fresh fruit, and other sugary fillings.
How to Celebrate La Chandeleur
Whether you’re in France or thousands of miles away, there’s no reason why you can’t partake in the French tradition of la Chandeleur. It’s the perfect chance to indulge in a stack of crêpes—savory or sweet, it’s entirely up to you. I know I’ll be celebrating back in Strasbourg with friends this year.
Make Your Own Crêpes
Making your own Chandeleur crêpes at home is easier than you might think, and it’s an excellent way to celebrate Crêpe Day.
Start with a simple crêpe batter. There are so many recipes out there, but I’d recommend this easy French crepe recipe from French food blogger, Mon Petit Four.
To make things even easier, you can reach for a ready-made mix. The French flour brand Francine has a great option made with ingredients from France, and it’s under $8 on Amazon.
In France, many people opt for pre-made crêpes that they can pimp with their favorite fillings. When I’m with my French friends, we sometimes skip making the crêpes from scratch and buy them already made—it's so much quicker, and we can top them with whatever we like.
You can find pre-made crêpes in the U.S. too. I recently found these classic European crêpes at Target for about $6. While pre-filled crêpes are available, I’d recommend filling them yourself for the freshest taste!
It’s a bit harder to come by pre-made galettes or even mixes in the U.S., but buckwheat flour is widely available at organic grocery stores like Whole Foods and Sprouts. If you want to whip them up yourself, I’d recommend this buckwheat crêpe recipe from American chef and Paris-based cookbook author David Lebovitz. He shares a lot of helpful details and tips for serving your crêpes too.
If you’re serious about making crêpes, an electric crêpe maker (basically a round griddle) is an easy way to achieve that perfect, thin crêpe. It’s definitely not necessary though.
If you’re looking for a simpler, more affordable option, a good crêpe pan does the job beautifully and is easier to store. Many of them come with a wooden spreader to help you evenly spread the batter. Beyond crêpes, you can also use them for cooking tortillas, quesadillas, grilled cheese, and more.
Read More: How to Equip Your Kitchen Like a French Chef
No crêpe pan? No problem—a regular non-stick frying pan will work just fine. Just keep the heat on medium, and be sure to coat the pan generously with butter or oil to prevent sticking. Crêpes cook fast—just 1 to 2 minutes per side—so stay ready to flip when the edges begin to lift.
Host a Crêpe Party
Bring friends or family together and celebrate la Chandeleur with a crêpe party. It's the perfect occasion to master your that crêpe recipe and share this French tradition with your loved ones.
Typically, the meal starts with savory crêpes. Prepare a variety of fillings, so everyone can customize their own crêpe. Ham, eggs, cream, and a variety of French cheeses (like gruyère, emmental, and comté) are staples you’ll probably want to have on hand. For vegetables, mushrooms, spinach and onions are classic options (and great for any vegan or vegetarian guests!).
Keep it simple though—crêpes are best when you don’t overstuff them. A few great ingredients make all the difference.
Read More: 7 French Diet Tips to Eat Like the French and Stay Healthy
If it's your first time making crêpes, be sure to test out your recipe before the party. While the process is straightforward once you get the hang of it, a little practice beforehand will make everything smoother at your gathering.
If it’s a small gathering of one or two people, you can prepare crepes one at a time. But if you’re hosting a larger group, consider preparing them ahead of time and keeping them warm in the oven until guests arrive. When it’s time to eat, just fill them with your chosen fillings and heat them up in a crêpe pan or griddle.
After the savory crêpes, you can offer a light salad or cheese platter to cleanse the palate—a perfect segue to dessert. Then, it’s time for the sweet crepes. This is when you’ll appreciate having pre-made ones ready to go. Just like with galettes, reheat them in the pan and add your sweet fillings to let everything melt together.
If you want something a bit more elevated, try Crêpes Suzette—a classic French dessert featuring crêpes flambéed in a buttery orange sauce. It’s sure to impress your guests!
When I lived in Brittany, we would eat crepes almost every night for dessert. My favorite was always classic honey, but my boyfriend preferred dark chocolate. I also loved the simple combination of lemon and sugar—a true French classic.
For your crepe party, you’ll definitely want to have a few options on hand. I’d recommend Nutella, jam, honey, sugar, chocolate, lemon and fresh fruit like bananas and strawberries. For something uniquely French, try adding chestnut cream or salted butter caramel sauce. Miam!
Pair with Cider
In France, no la Chandeleur celebration is complete without a glass of cider (cidre in French), which perfectly complements both sweet and savory crêpes.
Cider is a traditional French drink, especially popular in the Brittany region, which we know is where crêpes originated.
There are two main types of cider in France: sweet cider (cidre doux) and dry cider (cidre brut). Sweet cider pairs wonderfully with dessert crêpes, bringing out flavors like chocolate, fruit, or caramel. It adds some sweetness that complements crêpes deliciously.
On the other hand, dry cider is often the choice for savory galettes, as its crispness cuts through the richness of cheese, ham, or eggs.
For the full French experience, many locals will also enjoy their cider from a traditional bowl rather than a glass. Definitely not necessarily, but a fun tradition to know about!
Eat Crêpes at a Restaurant
If making crêpes at home feels like too much effort, you can still celebrate la Chandeleur by dining at a local crêperie or French restaurant. While this holiday is traditionally enjoyed at home in France, you can, of course, adapt the tradition to suit your style.
While crêperies aren’t as common in the U.S. as they are in France, you’ll often find them in larger cities. Standard French restaurants (not exactly crêperies) might also have sweet and/or savory crêpes alongside other classic dishes, although the selection might be more limited. Be sure to explore local options near you—you might be pleasantly surprised!
Discover more about French winter traditions with these recommended posts:
With la Chandeleur 2025 just around the corner, I hope this post gives you a taste of how to celebrate French Crêpe Day, no matter where you are.
Will you be celebrating la Chandeleur this year? Let me know in the comments below.
