Valentine's Day in France

It’s little surprise that the St Valentine's Day festival is strongly linked to France, where the day is known simply as Le Valentin. Nowadays, couples give flowers and go out for a romantic dinner but cards are not as widely exchanged as in Britain and other countries.

The Valentine tradition probably started during the Middle Ages in both France and England, with the popular belief that, as birds began to mate in mid February, so too should men and women exchange love letters and romantic tokens.

Valentine cards are known in French as cartes d'amities and the first Valentines greeting is said to have been sent by a young Frenchman. Charles, Duke of Orleans, became known for the poems & love letters that he wrote to his wife whilst being held prisoner in the Tower of London after his capture at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

A less delicate Valentine’s Day custom in France was the “loterie d'amour" or "drawing for love", now officially banned. Single young people would call from the windows of facing houses until paired off, but many failed to honour the hastily-made match, leading to abuse and bad feeling.

More appealing is the tradition of travelling on 14th February to St Valentin, a pretty village in Indre, close to the Loire valley, and the only place in France named after St Valentine. Events and ceremonies abound, all dedicated to l’amour and les amoureux.

Valentine's Day Romantic Holiday Ideas

If the lure of France is drawing you for a romantic break, read our guide to romantic holidays in France, which includes guides to popular romantic destinations.

If you are after an impulsive romantic short break in France, see our late availability holiday rentals and last minute hotel deals in France.