La Saint Valentin! Doesn’t Valentine’s Day in French sound romantic? Valentine’s Day traditions vary from country to country. Valentine’s Day in France is quite different than Valentine’s Day in the States. Especially when it comes to children – Valentine’s Day is reserved for adults in France and is not really celebrated by children at all. Valentine’s Day in Paris is very romantic!
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La Saint Valentin Traditions
In France, couples gift each other flowers, chocolate, macarons from Laduree or Pierre Herme and lingerie as we would in the States. It is often the perfect time to organize a special outing to a museum, romantic restaurant or a brunch in a special cafe. French restaurants often propose a special Valentine’s Day menu.
A French Valentine’s Day celebration could also involve a romantic and thoughtful home cooked meal.
French Valentine’s Day Menu
For out first Valentine’s Day together, Hugo surprised me with squid à l’orange, chocolates and a single red rose. It was perfect.
If you want to plan a romantic French inspired Valentine’s Day meal at home, here are some ideas.
Appetizers
- 11 French appetizers you will love!
- French Soups (the 18 best soups you can make at home!)
- French Chestnut Soup
- French Garlic Shrimp
- Vegetarian French Onion Soup
Main course ideas
- French vegetarian recipes
- Flammekueche (Alsatian Pizza)
- Tartiflette
- Quiche Florentine
Desserts
Cocktails
Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
Whether you are in Paris or reading this from someplace else, you will love our French inspired Valentine’s Day gift ideas.
Antique French Madeleines Mold
Does your special someone love to bake? Maybe baking is something you’d like to explore together this year? Madeleines are easy to make and will transport you to Paris immediately! I love this antique Madeleine mold to help you make the perfect French madeleines at home!
Buy it here
Our XOXO Print from our Etsy Shop
We recently launched our print shop on Etsy and it has been so much fun. Shop our Valentine’s Day collection, including this XOXO print.
Buy it here
Star Map Print
I love this customized star print. It basically captures what the sky looked like on a special day for you – such as your wedding day or the birth of a child. I surprised Hugo with one from our wedding day and he absolutely loved it. You can also choose what words you’d like to have on the print. I kept “the day the stars aligned” because I thought it was so cute!
Buy it here
French Kiss A Love Letter to Paris Book / Peter Turnley
Peter Turnley has a very special place in our heart. Not only is he a world renowned photographer, he happened to be walking by when we were during our engagement photo shoot in Paris in 2013 and decided to take a photo of us. He called out to us and said he would send us the photo if we wanted. We had it printed in plexiglass and it hangs in our home and means so much to us.
Buy it here (directly from Peter Turnley’s website)
Antique Map
I love the idea of giving the person you love an antique map. You could gift a map from a place that is special to both of you, somewhere you have traveled in the past or would love to travel in the future. It is sentimental and also doubles as art for your home.
Buy it here
A piece of antique jewelry from Paris
This Etsy seller sells fantastic antique jewelry finds directly from Paris. My engagement ring is an antique sapphire and diamond ring and I love antique jewelery. There are so many rings I love in this seller’s Etsy store.
Buy it here
Eiffel Tower Tea Bags
These sweet Eiffel Tower tea bags are absolutely adorable!
Buy it here
Paris Macaron Class at Galeries Lafayette
If you’ll be visiting Paris soon, why not gift a fabulous experience?! Macarons are a French pastry and learning to make macarons as a couple is such a fun activity to do in Paris.
Buy it here
Personalized Leather Makeup Case
I love this personalized leather makeup case for both men and women. Different colors and fonts are available as well.
Buy it here
Dainty Gold Moon Necklace
These necklaces are so pretty. You select a date that is special to you and the Etsy seller will make a personalized necklace that shows the phase of the moon from that day.
Buy it here
Personalized Recipe Tea Towel
Do you have a special recipe you cherish? Have it printed on a tea towel to give as a special Valentine’s Day gift!
Buy it here
La Saint Valentin How the French Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Will you be celebrating a French inspired Valentine’s Day this year?
Pin for later!
First published January 24, 2021. Last updated January 23, 2024 with more information, additional tips, and better readability.
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