Le jour de Saint Valentin

 Few people celebrate Valentine ’ s Day in France. Up until the last couple of decades, there were no banners, no cards, no paper hearts planted all over the stores.  Surprisingly, in a country where people like to think of themselves as the world experts on love and all things romantic, the celebration of Valentine's Day was left up to the discretion of a handful of husbands and boyfriends who vaguely knew the significance of the day.  Few people celebrate Valentine ’ s Day in France. Up until the last couple of decades, there were no banners, no cards, no paper hearts planted all over the stores.  Surprisingly, in a country where people like to think of themselves as the world experts on love and all things romantic, the celebration of Valentine's Day was left up to the discretion of a handful of husbands and boyfriends who vaguely knew the significance of the day.

 It wasn't until the 1980s, when “ Americana ” began to seep into the veins of this culture, that French merchants awakened to the potential commercial benefits of selling "Le Jour des Amoureux" to their countrymen.  Nonetheless, it seems that now that it has arrived en France, Valentine ’ s Day is here to stay. So, let ’ s take a look at some of the traditions and vocabulary associated with this special day …  It wasn't until the 1980s, when “ Americana ” began to seep into the veins of this culture, that French merchants awakened to the potential commercial benefits of selling "Le Jour des Amoureux" to their countrymen.  Nonetheless, it seems that now that it has arrived en France, Valentine ’ s Day is here to stay. So, let ’ s take a look at some of the traditions and vocabulary associated with this special day …

kNo one really knows how Valentines day originally came about or even who St Valentine really was.  The Catholic church has three different “ St Valentines. ” In ancient Rome the 14th of February was marked as a holiday to honor the god Juno. kNo one really knows how Valentines day originally came about or even who St Valentine really was.  The Catholic church has three different “ St Valentines. ” In ancient Rome the 14th of February was marked as a holiday to honor the god Juno.

kCustom has it that in France and England Valentines day originally came to be held in mid February because this was the time of year that birds and animals started pairing off. kEventually it became popular to exchange small tokens and love letters, and so the day we celebrate today was born. kCustom has it that in France and England Valentines day originally came to be held in mid February because this was the time of year that birds and animals started pairing off. kEventually it became popular to exchange small tokens and love letters, and so the day we celebrate today was born.

 In France, Valentines cards are called cartes d'amiti é s.

kIt is also traditional for religious pilgrims in France to travel to St Valentin a pretty village in Indre that is named after St Valentine (whoever s/he may be!). These days the village holds many events and ceremonies dedicated to Valentines day, including marriage vow renewals.

VOCABULAIRE / PHRASES  I love you (too)= Je t ’ aime (aussi)  I adore you = Je t ’ adore  Will you marry me? = Veux-tu m ’ 駱 ouser ?  Will you go out with me ?= Veux-tu sortir avec moi ?  Happy Valentine ’ s Day! = Joyeux jour de Saint- Valentin!  I ’ ll love you forever! = Je t ’ aimerai toujours!  I ’ ve loved you so long! = Il y a longtemps que je t ’ aime!  I ’ ll never forget you! = Je ne t ’ oublierai jamais!  I love you (too)= Je t ’ aime (aussi)  I adore you = Je t ’ adore  Will you marry me? = Veux-tu m ’ 駱 ouser ?  Will you go out with me ?= Veux-tu sortir avec moi ?  Happy Valentine ’ s Day! = Joyeux jour de Saint- Valentin!  I ’ ll love you forever! = Je t ’ aimerai toujours!  I ’ ve loved you so long! = Il y a longtemps que je t ’ aime!  I ’ ll never forget you! = Je ne t ’ oublierai jamais!

VOCABULAIRE / PHRASES  I ’ ve fallen in love with you ! = Je suis tomb é amoureux de toi (if you ’ re a boy speaking) = Je suis tomb é e amoureuse de toi (if you ’ re a girl speaking)  I ’ ve fallen in love with you ! = Je suis tomb é amoureux de toi (if you ’ re a boy speaking) = Je suis tomb é e amoureuse de toi (if you ’ re a girl speaking)

VOCABULAIRE / PHRASES  I wish for you … = Je te souhaite …  here is … = Voici …  I ’ m giving you … = Je te pr é sente …  I wish for you … = Je te souhaite …  here is … = Voici …  I ’ m giving you … = Je te pr é sente …

VOCABULAIRE / PHRASES  … for you = … pour toi  … from me = … de moi  … for you = … pour toi  … from me = … de moi

VOCABULAIRE / PHRASES  for … = pour …  it ’ s … = c ’ est …  it was … = c ’é tait …  for … = pour …  it ’ s … = c ’ est …  it was … = c ’é tait …

VOCABULAIRE / PHRASES  Valentine ’ s Day card = une carte de la Saint-Valentin, une carte d ’ amiti é kpresent = un cadeau kperfume = le parfum kflowers = des fleurs kcandy = des bonbons  Valentine ’ s Day card = une carte de la Saint-Valentin, une carte d ’ amiti é kpresent = un cadeau kperfume = le parfum kflowers = des fleurs kcandy = des bonbons

VOCABULAIRE / PHRASES  friendship = l ’ amiti é klove at first sight = le coup de foudre  friendship = l ’ amiti é klove at first sight = le coup de foudre

VOCABULAIRE / PHRASES kmy fiancé = mon fiancé(m) = ma fiancée (f) kmy fiancé = mon fiancé(m) = ma fiancée (f)

VOCABULAIRE / PHRASES kmy love = mon amour (m / f) = mon amant (m) = mon amante (f) kmy love = mon amour (m / f) = mon amant (m) = mon amante (f)

VOCABULAIRE / PHRASES kmy boyfriend = mon copain / mon petit ami kmy girlfriend = ma copine / ma petite amie kmy friend = mon ami (m) / mon amie (f) kmy dear / my sweetheart / my darling = mon cher / ma ch é rie kmy little cabbage (term of endearment) = mon petit chou kmy heart= mon coeur kmy boyfriend = mon copain / mon petit ami kmy girlfriend = ma copine / ma petite amie kmy friend = mon ami (m) / mon amie (f) kmy dear / my sweetheart / my darling = mon cher / ma ch é rie kmy little cabbage (term of endearment) = mon petit chou kmy heart= mon coeur

Maintenant, faisons des cartes!!!