🎲 Vendredi 13 in France: Bad Luck, Good Luck… or Just Another Day?
In France, Vendredi 13 or Friday the 13th isn’t just another date — it’s a day filled with superstition, curiosity, and even a bit of hope. Whether you see it as a curse or a chance to strike it lucky, it definitely doesn’t go unnoticed.
🔮 What’s So Special About “Vendredi 13”?
Pronunciation: [van-druh-dee trehz]
(Yes, it’s French. Yes, it sounds fancy.)
In France, “Vendredi 13” — Friday the 13th — is a special kind of day. For some people, it’s a cursed date they approach with caution. For others, it’s a lucky charm of a day — a chance to win big, change their fate, or just prove everyone else wrong.
So… is it good luck or bad luck? Let’s explore.
🌩️ Where Does the Bad Luck Come From?
Like many European superstitions, this one has Christian roots.
- Jesus was crucified on a Friday.
- There were 13 people at the Last Supper (Judas being the 13th).
- Put those together, and voilà: Friday + 13 = ominous vibes.
Add a few centuries of storytelling, folklore, and cultural anxiety, and you’ve got yourself a superstition.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering:
The fear of Friday the 13th has an actual name: paraskevidekatriaphobia. (Try saying that three times fast. Or even once.)
🍀 Why Some People Consider It a Lucky Day
Here’s the twist — in France, Friday the 13th isn’t always seen as unlucky. Quite the opposite, actually.
There’s a very French tendency to question popular beliefs. If most people think it’s a bad day, some will deliberately flip the script and call it a lucky one. It’s a way to stand out, rebel a little, or just stay hopeful.
But there’s also a more practical reason: money.
The French national lottery (FDJ) uses Friday the 13th to run special lottery draws. It’s a big deal. Participation spikes, ads flood the media, and people line up to buy tickets. And when someone does win (which, of course, happens), it strengthens the idea that this might actually be a lucky day.
Is it really luck? Or just math and probabilities? That’s up to you to decide.
⚖️ Can It Be Both Lucky and Unlucky?
Absolutely.
Many people feel ambivalent about the day. It really depends on what happens to you. If you win the lottery, it’s a lucky day. If you miss your train, spill coffee on your shirt, and get chewed out by your boss… maybe not so much.
Here’s a little imaginary sketch, French style:
– Hey, how’s it going?
– Not great. The bus never came. The taxi got lost. I was late for the meeting. My presentation got cut short. And now the director wants to see me. I have a bad feeling.
– Ouch. Rough day.
– Yeah… it’s Friday the 13th. I should’ve stayed in bed.
– Hey, who knows? Maybe the director’s got good news.
– That’s kind of you. I’ll let you know in an hour.
🎉 Famous French People Born on a Friday the 13th
(to be verified, but fun anyway!)
- Virginie Despentes – author, feminist icon
- Pascal Légitimus – comedian
- Gaëtan Roussel – musician
- Slimane – singer
Coincidence? Fate? You decide.
🗣️ Some French Vocabulary Around Luck
Want to sound like a native when talking about luck in France? Here’s a handy list:
| 🇫🇷 French | 🇬🇧 English |
| la chance | luck |
| avoir de la chance | to be lucky |
| Bonne chance ! | Good luck! |
| porter bonheur | to bring good luck |
| chanceux / chanceuse | lucky |
| la malchance | bad luck |
| avoir la poisse | to have bad luck (slang) |
| un jour de poisse | unlucky day (informal) |
| porter malheur | to bring bad luck |
| superstitieux | superstitious |
| la superstition | superstition |
| avoir du pot (slang) | to be lucky (like “jammy”) |
| je te dis merde | “break a leg” (literally: I tell you sh*t — yep, it’s a thing) |
🎯 So, What Should You Do on Friday the 13th?
Well, you could…
- Avoid walking under ladders.
- Buy a lottery ticket.
- Wear your lucky socks.
- Blame everything on the date (it’s convenient).
- Or just go about your day like normal — after all, it’s just a number on the calendar.
Unless it isn’t. 😏
If you’re intrigued by French superstitions, you might also enjoy our article on Mardi Gras, one of France’s most colorful celebrations.
After reading about Vendredi 13, learn how the French celebrate love in our article on Saint-Valentin.
Once you’ve explored French superstitions, check out our article on 14 Juillet to see how France celebrates its National Day.