The Origins of Mardi Gras in France. Mardi Gras (literally “Fat Tuesday”) is originally a catholic event that marks the end of the “week of the seven fat days”. They were known as “jours charnels” (meaning carnival) in the old days. How to celebrate Mardi Gras at home in the French way? Make crêpes and do a flipping contest; In France, Mardi Gras is often associated with eating crêpes, similar to Chandeleur. You can make a batch of sweet or savory crêpes and enjoy them with classic toppings like sugar and lemon, chocolate, jam or caramel. 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. 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. Mardi Gras comes to a close on Tuesday night, and soon, those who celebrate will exclaim “Laissez les bons temps rouler,” or “Let the good times roll” for the last time this Carnival season. Mardi Gras is traditionally celebrated on “Fat Tuesday,” the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. In many areas, however, Mardi Gras has evolved into a week-long festival. Mardi 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. As France adopted Christianity in the first century, pre-Lent festivities became known as Mardi Gras. Synonymous with Carnival , which is recognized in many other Christian countries, merriment, debauchery, and excess in all forms were celebrated for weeks before culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. 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. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is a celebration steeped in rich history and diverse cultural traditions. While most commonly associated with New Orleans, Louisiana, Mardi Gras has deep roots in France and is celebrated in various forms around the world. One of the most iconic elements of Mardi Gras celebrations is the King’s cake, a [&hellip Mardi Gras comes to a close on Tuesday night, and soon, those who celebrate will exclaim “Laissez les bons temps rouler,” or “Let the good times roll” for the last time this Carnival season. Whether you celebrate Mardi Gras for its connection to Christian traditions, its cultural significance, or simply for the fun and revelry, it remains an enduring and beloved festival. In places like New Orleans, Mardi Gras has become a symbol of the city’s identity, representing unity, diversity, and the joy of living life to the fullest. As Thousands of scantily clad revellers danced through Sydney on Saturday for the 47th annual Mardi Gras parade, transforming the Australian city into a vibrant sea of colour and costumes. Mardi Gras in Dakar, Senegal Mardi Gras in Marseille, France. Belgium. In the Czech Republic, it is a folk tradition to celebrate Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras: A French Tradition. Modern France is a country that celebrates the holiday known as “Mardi Gras,” which is celebrated by children dressed up for school. In the north of France, Dunkirk is particularly known for its celebrations of Mardi Gras, which are boisterous, loud, and colorful. In 1703, the tiny settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile celebrated America's very first Mardi Gras. In 1704, Mobile established a secret society (Masque de la Mobile), similar to those that form our current Mardi Gras krewes. It lasted until 1709. In 1710, the "Boeuf Gras Society" was formed and paraded from 1711 through 1861. The festivals and celebrations in the weeks leading up to the Lenten season are celebrated across the world, from France to Brazil and beyond. And, in the U.S. although it is celebrated in other Mardi Gras in France is a time of revelry, tradition, and artistic expression. Mardi Gras in other countries. While Brazil and France are well-known for their Mardi Gras celebrations, several other countries also partake in this festive occasion. In the United States, New Orleans holds the most famous Mardi Gras celebrations outside of Brazil. The origins of the celebration of Mardi Gras in North America can be traced back to France, where it was first observed in the Middle Ages. Fort Louis de la Louisiane, located today in Mobile, was founded in 1702 by French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville 15 years before it first appeared in Louisiana. The tradition of Mardi Gras was brought to New Orleans by French colonists in the early 1700s. Mardi Gras quickly became a popular tradition in the city, and was celebrated with grand balls and street parties. The most famous Mardi Gras celebration in the United States is the one that takes place in New Orleans every year.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |