La chandeleur is the French name for the catholic feast of Candlemas. It is celebrated on the 2nd of February to commemorate the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of baby Jesus to the Temple.
In France, this is also the ‘ jour des crêpes’ (pancake day). In fact, it is the first one of the month, because we also have Mardi Gras later on in February!
Crêpe with caramelised pear and chantilly cream. Yummy....!
Not only do we eat a lot of crêpes on Chandeleur, but we also do a bit of fortune telling while making them. It is traditional to hold a coin in your writing hand and a crêpe pan in the other, and flip the crêpe into the air. If you manage to catch the crêpe in the pan, your family will be prosperous for the rest of the year!
