La Chandeleur

La Chandeleur, or some may know it as Candlemas day, is the French pancake day, however France typically offers crêpes, which are a thinner, lighter version of a pancake. La Chandeleur marks the end to the Christmas season. It’s celebrated on 2nd February, which, for someone coming from the UK who has always taken the end of Christmas being the twelfth night or 5th January, seems a little bit late.

The Tradition of La Chandeleur has apparently been celebrated in France for centuries. The day is linked to the return of light after the dark winter months. I like this thought of welcoming back warm spring days in the garden, tidying up leaves, cutting back the hedges, pruning the roses and enjoying the colour of a spring garden.

The round shape and golden colour of the pancakes or crêpes are said to symbolize the sun and its light. What a perfect food for this celebration. Our favourite type of pancake is with bananas mixed in, I then enjoy them with lemon and sugar, whilst Brian takes a simpler route of just maple syrup, but lashings of it. I’m not sure the French would agree with bananas symbolising the return of the sun, but they’re very tasty.