What is Toussaint day, when is it and why does France celebrate?
The Toussaint bank holiday falls on a Sunday this year
People often lay chrysanthemums on the graves of loved ones for the commémoration des fidèles défunts
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On November 1 every year France marks Toussaint day with a jour férié (bank holiday).
It is one of 11 bank holidays in the French calendar however, this year Toussaint falls on a Sunday and so many people will not benefit from an extra day off.
Shops and restaurants typically close their doors to celebrate.
The current school holidays in France are also known as les vacances scolaires de la Toussaint, with pupils returing to their classrooms on November 2.
What is Toussaint?
Toussaint - a contraction of ‘tous les saints’ - is a Catholic holiday known as All Saints’ Day in English when all Christians are invited to remember and honour saints.
It falls the day after Halloween.
According to the website of the Catholic church of France: “Every November 1, the Church honours the countless numbers of those who have been living and shining witnesses of Christ.”
What are the origins of Toussaint?
Despite Toussaint not being referred to in the Bible, it is thought that it was introduced by the church in the year 610 when Pope Boniface IV decided to introduce a regular commemoration of saints on May 13.
One century later, the date for Toussaint was changed by Pope Gregory III to November 1.
In 835, Emperor Louis the Pious made November 1 a day of obligation throughout the Holy Roman Empire, at the request of Pope Gregory IV, and it is to this day still observed in many Christian countries.
Fast forward almost 1,000 years and All Saints’ Day became an official part of the Christian calendar as well as a national holiday, granting workers the day off.
Despite a brief suspension during the French Revolution, it was reinstated by Napoleon in 1802.
How do people celebrate Toussaint?
Many religious people will attend church services on Toussaint and then dine with friends and family to make the most of the day off.
The following day marks Commémoration des fidèles défunts (All Souls' Day) during which people commemorate the dead by decorating their graves with flowers. Some people will visit graves on November 1.
Graves are most commonly decorated with heather, chrysanthemums or wreaths.
Why are chrysanthemums sold?
There is no definite answer as to why chrysanthemums are often the flower chosen to lay by graves in France.
There are a few theories. One is that they flower at this time of year and withstand low temperatures.
It is thought that when the French government asked citizens to commemorate those lost on the first anniversary the Armistice, they may have picked chrysanthemums for this very reason, and the tradition has lived on.
Meanwhile, others think it could be related to the fact that chrysanthemums signify love and long life in the language of flowers.
