Do you think that one Mother’s Day a year is simply not enough? Mothers can get a second dose of care by celebrating France’s Fête des Mères a couple of weeks after America has its own particular day.
Mother’s Day is celebrated in France as it is throughout the world. It is the day to treat your mother with something special; a day when she doesn’t have to do anything and you do all the honors and all the work.
dates
It takes place at a different time than in the United States, which is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. In France, it is the last Sunday in May, unless Pentecost / Whit Sunday falls on that day, in which case it is the first Sunday in June.
In 2019, Fête des Mères falls on Sunday May 26 in France.
Celebrating
Mothers receive cards and flowers, sometimes a short poem written by a child. Or it can be more elaborate; perhaps an excursion or a bigger gift while a bottle of champagne is always welcome. But this is France, so food is important. In fact, in France, any excuse is good and, as Mother’s Day is particularly popular, the family prepares a special meal.
If it’s okay, it can be outside on a terrace or in the garden. Some families celebrate together with friends; others only with close relatives. But no matter how big or small, Mother’s Day is always a great event.
What to eat
Food should be something special. How about cream of watercress (this is spring with all those fresh seasonal ingredients), followed by roast chicken with lemon and rosemary? Or if it is by the sea, then the freshest seafood and maybe a lobster is the food to offer.
Wherever the family lives, regional and local ingredients are always used.
Story
France is a large country (the largest in Europe), with a relatively small population (approximately the same as for the United Kingdom). Napoleon Bonaparte apparently first thought of the idea of a day to celebrate mothers in 1806, although it was not introduced at the time. However, at the end of the 19th century, the French government became increasingly concerned about the low birth rate and the static or declining population, so celebrating mothers of large families seemed logical. The idea took root in the 1890s; in 1904 mothers were added to the Paternal Union and in 1908 the Ligue Populaire des Pères et Mères de Familles Nombreuses was created , in honor of the fathers and mothers of large families.
Americans who fought in France in World War I also played an important role in bringing the United States Mother’s Day holiday to Europe, a tradition established in 1915 by Anne Jarvis in Philadelphia.
The great city of Lyon then came up with the idea, proposing a special Journée Nationale des Mères de familles nombreuses (National Day of Mothers of Large Families) which they celebrated for the first time in 1918. Eventually, the French government made it permanent and official. May 20. , 1920, with the Médaille de la Famille française .
In 1950 it finally became law with a fixed date. Since then, Mother’s Day has become one of the most popular celebrations in France.
Over the years, not surprising given current concern over population numbers, the qualifications required for this peculiarly French honor have changed. In 2013, the number was restricted to 4 children, of course well educated, and the oldest was 16 years old.
Today, the honor of the Médaille de la Famille Française is awarded throughout France by the different departments.
Celebrate in French
If you really want to make your mother happy, especially if you are in France on the date, here we show you how to wish her Happy Mother’s Day: ‘Bonne fète, maman’.
Edited by Mary Anne Evans
