1. Welcome to the Valentine’s Day French Club Meeting!

2. In France Valentine’s Day was not very popular in France until about the 1980s. It is not really a day for children to celebrate, so while roses are often sold out, there are not cheap candies or childish Valentine’s Day cards. There is a town named after Saint Valentine where people go to celebrate with the renewal of marriage vows, among other things.

3. Flowers Never offer chrysanthemums- these are usually for graves. Color Code for roses:  Pink – he’s fond of you  Red- passionate love  White- pure/chaste love  Yellow- infidelity Odd number for good luck

4. Chocolate Chocolate is not AS big of a deal there as it is here However, for those who do buy it it’s usually more sophisticated and expensive- Belgian/Swiss chocolates, liqueur-filled chocolate, etc.

5. Une loterie d’amour This was a tradition for single men and women who would enter houses that face each other and call to each other and pair off. If the man was not satisfied with or particularly attracted to his partner, he would leave. The single woman would build a ceremonial bonfire and burn images of men who had spited them while cursing and yelling abusive remarks. Yikes. Needless to say, this got out of control and is now illegal.

6. Valentine’s Day Sayings in French Bonne Saint Valentin! Je t’aime Tu me manques Mon cheri A toi, pour toujours Tendres Baisers Tu me donnes des papillons! Amour de ma vie. Je t’adore.