Valentine’s Day in France: All About La Saint-Valentin

What Is It?

Valentine’s Day is called la Saint-Valentin in France. It takes place on the same day — February 14th (le 14 février). The full phrase is la fête de la Saint-Valentin. Since fête is a feminine noun (la fête), the expression became feminine: la Saint-Valentin.

👉 Le Saint Valentin refers to the historical figure, Saint Valentine himself.

Is It for Friends Too?

No — unlike in the U.S., la Saint-Valentin in France is exclusively for couples. It’s not celebrated between friends or family members. In fact, it’s often called la fête des amoureux, which means “the celebration of lovers.” 

French Traditions

Some French people love to celebrate it, others find it too commercial and prefer to ignore it. You might hear someone say:

“On n’a pas besoin d’un jour spécial pour célébrer l’amour.”
(“We don’t need a special day to celebrate love.”)

So… maybe don’t book a nonrefundable getaway before checking first 😅. That said, who wouldn’t enjoy a nice trip or dinner?

Common Gifts:

• 💐 des fleurs – flowers
• 🍫 une boîte de chocolats – a box of chocolates
• 💍 un bijou – jewelry
  • une bague – a ring
  • un bracelet – a bracelet
  • un collier – a necklace
  • des boucles d’oreilles – earrings
• ⌚ une montre – a watch
• 🌸 du parfum – perfume

✉️ Note: Writing Valentine’s Day cards isn’t common in France — most people don’t do it.

Useful Phrases When Shopping for a Gift

French	English
Je cherche un cadeau pour la Saint-Valentin.	I’m looking for a gift for Valentine’s Day.
C’est pour un homme ou une femme ?	Is it for a man or a woman?
Est-ce que vous connaissez ses goûts ?	Do you know his/her tastes?
Est-ce que vous savez ce qu’il/elle aime ?	Do you know what he/she likes?
Quel est votre budget ?	What’s your budget?

What to Say to Your Loved One

• Joyeuse Saint-Valentin ! – Happy Valentine’s Day!
• Mon chéri / Ma chérie – My darling
• Mon amour – My love
• Je t’aime – I love you

💡 Keep it simple! In France, even a single flower can mean “I didn’t forget.”

What to Do on Valentine’s Day in France

In true French spirit — food, drinks, and ambiance are key! Whether dining out or staying in, the goal is to enjoy something a little special.

Visit the famous Wall of Love, in Paris.

Example Phrases:

French	English
Qu’est-ce que tu veux faire ce soir ?	What do you want to do tonight?
Super idée !	Great idea!
Ça te dirait d’aller au restaurant ?	Want to go to a restaurant?
Et si on allait au cinéma ?	How about a movie?
Je connais un super restau, parfait pour l’occasion.	I know a great restaurant, perfect for the occasion.
J’ai acheté une bouteille de vin.	I bought a bottle of wine.
On peut rester à la maison et regarder un film.	We can stay home and watch a movie.
Et si on se faisait une soirée films romantiques ?	How about a romantic movie night?
J’ai mis une bouteille de Champagne au frais.	I’ve chilled a bottle of Champagne.
Je nous ai préparé un super dîner en amoureux.	I’ve prepared a romantic dinner for us.
N’oublie pas les bougies.	Don’t forget the candles.
On fait un dîner aux chandelles ?	Shall we have a candlelight dinner?

Valentine’s Day in France isn’t complete without something sweet—learn more in our guide to French cakes.

To End on a Loving Note

💬 Valentine’s Day, French-style, is above all about simplicity, good taste… and heart. Whether you’re in France or just learning the language, celebrating this romantic day the French way is a charming way to connect with the culture — and with someone special.

✨ Now it’s your turn:
Why not try out a few of the phrases or plan a little French-inspired surprise for someone you love?

➡️ Want more cultural tips and French phrases? Explore our other articles or sign up for our newsletter!

If you enjoyed learning about Saint-Valentin, you might also like our article on Mardi Gras, another lively French celebration.

After reading about Saint-Valentin, explore how the French celebrate their National Day in our article on 14 Juillet.