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February is a great month in France. Not only do school holidays start - just six weeks after Christmas - but the holiday season continues. You would be missing the mark if you were thinking of Valentine's Day. Smack dab in between All Saint's Day (the day after Halloween) and Easter (when bells, not bunnies, bring chocolate), Candlemas is a nationwide tradition that marks the turning point between Winter and Spring with ... crêpes! You know, those thin, sweet pancakes served with jam or flaming with orange liqueur.

La Chandeleur: An ancient tradition

Every year on Feb. 2, France celebrates Candlemas, known as "la Chandeleur" in French. While it has its roots in Catholicism, the tradition has evolved into a day for making and eating crêpes across the country and has little link with religion today.

La Chandeleur, derived from the Latin Festa Candelarum (Festival of Candles), originates from ancient Rome's Lupercales, popular festivals celebrating Lupercalia, the god of fertility and health. Participants would light torches, honoring the return of longer days and the approaching spring. Halfway through the first century AD, the early Catholic Church sought to christianize pagan customs by establishing a ceremony with candles on Feb. 2, commemorating the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. Over time, this evolved into La Chandeleur as it is known today.

The Crêpe Tradition

And the crêpes? Well, the Romans must have known that the road to a person's heart is through their stomach. Even as early as the Lupercales festival, cereal cakes in the shape of the sun were eaten to invoke the return of long days. The flour used to make them were of the previous year's harvest and, as such, became a symbol of prosperity. Later, the cakes were handed out to the Roman Church's first pilgrims, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Today, Candlemas is less about its religious origins and more about enjoying delicious crêpes with family and friends. They are especially popular with children and are sweet memories of childhood. Whether with sugar, jam, or chocolate, crêpes are an integral part of French culture. Many households and restaurants prepare them, often accompanied with a glass of apple juice or cider.

Next February, give Punxsutawney Phil a break. Grab a pan, flip a crêpe, and enjoy a taste of this delightful French tradition.

Did you know?

Crêpes and galettes are both popular in French cuisine, but they have distinct differences:

Crêpes are made with white wheat flour, milk, eggs, and butter, resulting in a soft, slightly sweet pancake. They are typically served with sweet toppings like sugar, jam, chocolate or fruit.

Galettes (specifically galettes de sarrasin) are made with buckwheat flour, water, and salt, making them darker, crispier, and are naturally gluten-free. They are commonly filled with savory ingredients like ham, cheese, eggs, and mushrooms.