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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 arrived in North America as a French Catholic tradition with the Le Moyne brothers, [31] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, in the late 17th century, when King Louis XIV sent the pair to defend France's claim on the territory of Louisiane, which included what are now the U.S. states of Alabama 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 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 walkers. The most famous Mardi Gras carnival for North Americans is the Mardi Gras of New Orleans, which still keeps the French name given its past heritage. 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 Nombreux sont ceux qui, aujourd’hui encore, fêtent mardi gras en mangeant des pancakes. Ou des crêpes si l’on est en France. La New Orleans Mardi Gras Factory est un musée amusant et haut en couleurs où sont fabriqués les accessoires qui serviront aux festivités de l’année à venir et où certains chars de la parade sont entreposés. Yes, technically this is more of an Epiphany thing, but in some regions, they keep it going through Mardi Gras. In the north, the galette des rois is made of puff pastry with almond frangipane filling while in Provence, you’ll find the gâteau des rois, a brioche crown with candied fruit. The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced to medieval Europe, passing through Rome and Venice in the 17th and 18th centuries to the French House of the Bourbons. From here, the traditional revelry of "Boeuf Gras," or fatted calf, followed France to her colonies. On March 2, 1699, French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Mardi Gras is a festive time. This period marks the end of the "week of seven fat days" (formerly called "carnal days"). Mardi Gras is followed by Ash Wednesday and Lent, when Christians are encouraged to "eat lean", traditionally abstaining from meat. Let's discover the different Carnivals in France: 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. 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. At the heart of it, Mardi Gras is also a Christian holiday traced to pagan spring and fertility rites dating back thousands of years that has become a popular cultural phenomenon worldwide. And although Mardi Gras is today most closely associated with New Orleans, Louisiana, it is observed in hundreds of cities in more than fifty countries. 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. Let Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is Carnival’s culmination with a day of parades, parties and indulgence before Lent. As the tradition spread through Europe, it became Mardi Gras in France, where 🇬🇧 Mardi Gras and Carnival refer to eating more decadent, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of Lent. In France, this festive season comes with sumptuou The Carnival of Paris is a festival with a very long history in the French capital. Nicolas de Baye wrote in his journal in 1411: "Monday, the 22nd of February, the royal household, in order to observe the Lenten feast, will be rising before dawn [to prepare]". For kids, Mardi Gras in France is like Halloween without trick or treating for candy. Mardi Gras in France isn’t just for adults. Every year, Primary schools across France celebrate Carnival by hosting a mini carnival party where parents can watch their children parade around in their Mardi Gras costumes. Watch our short video presentation about Mardi Gras in France: What are the origins of the Paris Carnival? Mardi-Gras ( Fat Tuesday ) isn’t just an excuse to indulge in rich foods before Lent—it’s a celebration of joy, music, and extravagant parades. FREE Lesson plan: weekly lesson resources, featuring videos from Paris, visit
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