Renovation project - Bonne Fête des Mères (Mothers day in France)

Renovation project - Bonne Fête des Mères (Mothers day in France)

Picture courtesy of http://mumuland.centerblog.net/rub-Bonne-fete-maman.html

Today is the last day in May and as such it is mother’s day here in France or Fête des Mères. As far as we can see it is so much less commercialised than it is in the UK. Each patisserie has a selection of specially baked cakes. (The most popular seems to be the strawberry tart).

The actual history of mother’s day in France was more to do with the alarm at the low birth rate in France so mothers of large families were celebrated.

During World War 1, American soldiers sent so much mail back for mother’s day that a postal card was created.

In 1920 the French government made the day official for mothers of large families, but by 1941 all mothers were honoured, still a case of the bigger the family the better, but we won’t leave you other mothers out any more because France is nice like that.

In 1950 the last Sunday in May became "Fête des Mères” and all were required to pay homage to French mothers on this day. During the 50’s the celebration became far more commercialised. But as I said that may not be the case all over France, in our little bit of Brittany all we have seen is the fabulous cakes in the patisserie and the signs in the shops wishing a "Bonne Fête des Mères"

But remember it is moved to the first Sunday of June if it falls on the same day as pentecost

So for all you mums out there put your feet up and enjoy your day, even if you are not with your children

Bonne Fête des Mères

And for all you grandmothers here is a great quote

Une maman formidable donne toujours une grand-mere exceptionnelle.-A great mother always makes an exceptional grandmother.-Jean Gastaldi, French writer.