Monday, 3 January 2011

Did you know that the French do not send Christmas cards but New Year cards?

The French custom is to send New Year cards ( cartes de vœux) up to the last day in January. A typical phrase is: Meilleurs vœux pour une bonne et heureuse année ( best wishes for a happy New Year). This is also what people say to each other at midnight ( minuit) on New Year's Eve ( le réveillon du jour de l'An ou le réveillon de la St Sylvestre). Every day of the year has a saint and Sylvestre has his saint's day on the 31st, this is why December 31st is often referred to as:  la St Sylvestre.
To all of you reading this blog:
Bonne et heureuse année 2011!
Why not join our students already taking French lessons with Alliance Française de Bristol or Bath as a New Year resolution? For more info:

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