Key cultural and practical dates in France this February
Dates for your diary: half-term school holidays, la Chandeleur, the French census deadline and more
Take note of these key February dates in France, from Nice Carnival to school holidaysBearFotos / Marina Bakush / shot4shot / Ground Picture | Shutterstock
We look at the key dates to note in your diary this February and share handy information regarding the ongoing French census.
Cultural dates
France's 'Pancake Day' is known as la ChandeleurAnna_Pustynnikova/Shutterstock
February 2:La Chandeleur is a religious celebration (Candlemas) held on the 40th day of the Epiphany season. It is seen as similar to Shrove Tuesday as it is the traditional day to eat crêpes in France.
February 6:Mille et une orchidées is all about admiring orchids at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. The event will also feature a photo exhibition. Until March 10.
February 6-9:Jumping International, the 52nd edition of this four-day horse-jumping event in Bordeaux.
February 12:Nice Carnival is famous internationally for its elaborate decorated floats. It attracts over a million visitors. This year’s theme is King of the Ocean. Until March 2.
February 14: Celebrate la Saint-Valentin (Valentine’s Day) in style, at Strasbourg Mon Amour, from February 7 to 16. Concerts, conferences and cultural visits are among highlights of the festival.
February 15: The 91st edition of Menton lemon festival begins, featuring a host of citrus-inspired creations. The theme this year is Journeys into the Stars. Until March 2.
February 15: The start of the Grand Corso du Mimosa. Numerous floral floats will pass through the town of Bormes-les-Mimosas (Var). It runs until February 16.
February 22: The Paris International Agricultural Show allows visitors to explore marquees dedicated to crops, livestock, produce and careers in farming. Until March 2.
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February 28: The 38th edition of the International Games Festival in Cannes welcomes game and toy publishers, distributors, authors, illustrators and players. Until March 2.
February 28: The 50th edition of the Césars will take place at the Olympia in Paris. France’s equivalent to the Oscars will be presided over this year by actress Catherine Deneuve.
Practical dates
Copper wire is being replaced by fibre optic connectionsasharkyu/Shutterstock
January 31: Orange will deactivate household landline connections due to the replacement of old copper wires. Those who do not have fibre, 4G, 5G or satellite will find themselves without a phone or internet connection unless they act fast.
February 8: Start of half-term for Zone B (until February 24).
February 15: Start of half-term for Zone C (until March 3).
February 22: Start of half-term for Zone A (until March 10).
End of February: Estimated adoption of France’s 2025 budget
2025 French census
The annual census is organised by INSEE, the National Institute of Statistics and Economic StudiesHJBC / Shutterstock
February 15 and 22: The ongoing 2025 census will continue in mainland France and Corsica until these dates.
In towns with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants there is a one-in-five chance of being visited as France runs a census for these every five years. For towns with more than 10,000 inhabitants, a census is carried out every year, but only on a sample of 8% of the population. Those included in the census will receive a letter from the mairie to let them know an Insee agent is coming.
Everyone who receives a letter must take part unless the house in question is a second home. The easiest way to do so is online.
Agents will bring a leaflet with a login for the le-recensement-et-moi.fr. Paper forms are provided for people unable to complete the questionnaire online.
The questions focus on household characteristics and demographic details as well as housing and transport needs.
New questions this year ask about home working, disability and parents’ place of birth.
Insee says the latter is to improve the measurement of mobility across generations, and detect any inequality, segregation and discrimination. It reminds people that this type of census data is confidential.
