💘 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.