5 Sayings about Mardi-Gras in France. There are several proverbs and sayings about Mardi Gras in France. Here are five of them with their translation into English: “Quand Mardi gras est de vert vêtu, Pâques met des habits blancs.“ (When Mardi Gras is dressed in green, Easter is dressed in white.) In medieval France, Mardi Gras became a significant part of the Carnival season, characterized by masked balls, parades, and feasting. The name “Fat Tuesday” reflects the tradition of eating richly before the 40-day fast of Lent – in French, le Carême. This year, Mardi Gras falls on March 4th 2025. Mardi Gras is a festive day celebrated in France on Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), which marks the close of the pre-Lenten season. The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent. Mardi Gras and Carnaval season in France is traditionally a time for indulging in rich, fatty foods before the austerity of Lent. The festivities are marked by vibrant public celebrations and parades featuring outdoor feasts, masquerades, masked balls, and performances from magicians and stilt walke Subsequently, the Christianized populations continued to celebrate the end of winter through this feast of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras: Christian origins Lent, a period of fasting, deprivation, austerity and purification that lasts 40 days, is a time for Christians to prepare for the great feast of Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday. In many areas, however, Mardi Gras has evolved into a week-long festival. Mardi Gras 2025 will fall on Tuesday, March 4. Mardi is the French word for Tuesday, and gras means “fat.” In With this French influence we can compare our celebrations to those of modern day Paris and smaller villages across France. Below Mardi Gras in Nice, France. For us in the United States, the actual founding of Mardi Gras was in 1702: In 1702 French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville established “Fort Louis de la The Mardi Gras carnevals in France are colourful and chaotic, and can sometimes last for more than a month! If you’re keen on masquerades, beignets and dancing in the streets, our luxury holiday villas in France make the perfect base for exploring the festivities – so let us introduce you to the top five cities for Mardi Gras in France. The essence of the Carnival de Mardi Gras in France lies in its inclusive nature, where all are encouraged to don elaborate disguises and immerse themselves in the joyous festivities. Origin of the Carnival . Mardi Gras historically marked the culmination of a week-long festivity preceding Lent, a forty-day period of fasting leading up to Easter. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, and refers to the celebration beginning after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and up to Ash Wednesday. It is called Fat Tuesday because you are meant to eat rich, fatty foods before Lent begins. In the United Kingdom, Mardi Gras is also known as Shrove Tuesday, which is derived from Hence the celebration of Mardi Gras in what was once known as New France, including New Orleans. While Mardi Gras specifically celebrates the final day before Lent, the days and weeks preceding it were a period of extended celebration. These were the days once known in France as jours charnels (carnal days), now simply carnaval. Through this tradition, certain dishes and foods have become staples during the carnival season and for mardi gras in France. 1) Les Beignets de Mardi Gras (Mardi gras donuts) One very popular type of mardi gras food in France eaten during the carnival season are carnival donuts, “les beignets” (pronounced Lay-Ben-YAY) or beignets de Carnaval. Mardi Gras (UK: / ˌ m ɑːr d i ˈ ɡ r ɑː /, US: / ˈ m ɑːr d i ɡ r ɑː /; [1] [2] also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the final day of Carnival (also known as Shrovetide or Fastelavn); it thus falls on the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. [3] Ce n’est pas mardi gras aujourd’hui; Mardi gras lesson plans. Mardi gras et Carnaval (Powerpoint, 4th – 12th grade) Mardi gras history and activities (Lesson, 8th grade) Mardi gras classroom party (Article, 4th – 7th grade) Cajun music (Lesson, 7th – 12th grade) Study of the Acadians (Lesson, 6th – 12th grade) More from LKL. Italian While Mardi Gras is celebrated in various forms around the world, it is most famously associated with New Orleans, Louisiana. Over the centuries, Mardi Gras in New Orleans has evolved into a grand and extravagant celebration, deeply rooted in the city’s unique blend of French, African, Spanish, and Caribbean cultures. Mardi Gras is une fête incontournable (a must-attend party) for most people living in France. In a 2018 survey, researchers found that 7 out of 10 French people participate in Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is most popular in Hauts-de-France (the North of France) and least popular in Brittany. When asked “What does Mardi Gras mean to you?”, 87% of The Mardi Gras marks the end of the festive period including Epiphany and Chandeleur and the start of the fasting period. In modern France, Mardi Gras is widely celebrated in the country where kids dress up to go to school. This fest is particularly celebrated in the city of Dunkirk, in the north of France, with exuberance, noise and colours. Until the Middle Ages, the French festival of Mardi Gras was celebrated in North America. Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville established Fort Louis de la Louisiane (which is now Mobile) in 1702, more than 15 years before it was established in Louisiana. Mardi Gras is a religious and cultural festival held in many parts of the world, but most notably in France. The celebration typically occurs before the start of the Christian season of Lent. In France, Mardi Gras is known as Carnaval, and celebrations typically take place in the streets of cities and towns. Mardi Gras, also known as Carnival, is an annual celebration in France that takes place the week before Ash Wednesday. It is a time of feasting and merrymaking, and people often wear costumes and masks. This year, Mardi Gras falls on February 25th. In Paris, Mardi Gras celebrations will be taking place all over the city.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |