How to Frenchify Your Valentine’s Day
Quick answer: In France, la Saint-Valentin (February 14) is for romantic couples, not friends or classmates. In a 2025 YouGov survey, 36% of French adults planned to celebrate, and the most popular plans were dinner at a restaurant or a meal cooked at home, often with flowers. Here is how to bring that same understated, in-person romance to your own February 14.
Joyeuse Saint-Valentin (Happy Valentine’s Day in French), mes amours! Let’s take a journey to the heart of romance: France. Known for its enchanting allure and undeniably romantic language and gestures, France offers a treasure trove of inspiration for those seeking to infuse their Valentine’s Day with a certain je ne sais quoi.
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Whether you’re in a relationship or embracing self-love, let’s explore how to “Frenchify” your Valentine’s Day and celebrate love à la française.
Table of Contents
The French Approach to Valentine’s Day
Is Valentine’s Day Only for Couples in France?
Mostly, yes. In France, Valentine’s Day, or la Saint-Valentin, is a day for romantic partners. Unlike in the US, where classmates trade cards and friends swap small gifts, the French tend to keep it between couples. In France, it’s a day for les amoureux, people deeply in love. This focus on romantic love is an intimate way to celebrate the day.
How Do the French Celebrate Valentine’s Day?
The French tend to value time together over big gestures, and the most common plan is a romantic dinner. In YouGov’s February 2025 survey, 45% of French people who planned to celebrate said they would go to a restaurant, and 31% planned to cook at home. Others choose a film, a weekend escape to a picturesque château, or a concert. The essence lies in sharing experiences, creating memories, and celebrating together.
Valentine’s Day in France by the Numbers
- 36% of French adults planned to celebrate in 2025, up from 34% in 2023. 57% did not plan to.
- Those celebrating with a partner planned to spend about €154 on average.
- Most planned gifts: flowers (25%), perfume (21%), chocolates (17%), and jewelry (16%).
- Most planned activities: dinner at a restaurant (45%), cooking at home (31%), and watching a film (17%).
Source: YouGov France survey of 1,032 adults, fieldwork January 31 to February 3, 2025, published February 10, 2025. (Published every 2 years)
Where the French Go for Valentine’s Day: Saint-Valentin and the Wall of Love
Some couples go all in on the theme. The tiny village of Saint-Valentin, in France’s Val de Loire region and home to about 285 residents, holds a Valentine’s festival every February with a Lovers’ Garden, a special postmark and commemorative stamp from its post office, and a “certificate for lovers” ceremony at the town hall.
In Paris, Le Mur des Je t’aime (the Wall of I Love You) in Montmartre’s Square Jehan Rictus covers 40 square meters with 311 “I love you” messages in 250 languages. It is free to visit, close to the Abbesses and Pigalle metro stations, and an easy stop for a romantic stroll.
How to Frenchify Your Valentine’s Day: A Step by Step Plan
Breakfast in Bed: Petit Déjeuner au Lit
A French breakfast in bed is simple: good coffee, a croissant or pain au chocolat, and some fruit. Imagine waking up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and buttery croissants. Start your day with a classic French breakfast in bed. Include pain au chocolat, fresh fruit, and perhaps a glass of champagne to add a luxurious touch. This simple gesture sets a romantic tone for the day.
What to Wear: Chic and Effortless
French style tends to favor the understated. Opt for a classic, understated look. Think of a little black dress or a tailored blazer paired with well-fitted jeans. The key is effortless elegance.
Check out my article, How to Embrace Your Inner French Girl, for more inspiration!
Lunch: A French Bistro or a French Lunch at Home
For lunch, choose a French bistro. Savor dishes like French onion soup or a Salade Niçoise with a lovely glass of French wine. Or make a French lunch at home. Remember, it’s not just about the food; it’s about the experience. Linger over the table, because the French rarely rush a meal.
Afternoon of Art and Culture: Museums and Classic French Films
Visit an art gallery or museum to immerse yourselves in French art and history. Appreciate the works of Monet or Cézanne. In Paris, the small Musée de la Vie Romantique in the 9th arrondissement is a fitting Valentine’s Day choice. Prefer to stay in?
Immerse yourself in French culture by watching a classic French film such as Amélie, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, or Romantics Anonymous (Les Émotifs anonymes). It’s a way to celebrate love in its many forms, including self-love and appreciation for a rich culture.
A Night of Romance: Candlelit Dinner at Home
End the day with a homemade French dinner. Create an intimate setting with candles and soft music. Cook together a simple yet elegant meal like duck à l’Orange, with a side of potato gratin or Ratatouille. Pair it with a fine French wine.
Here are 25 fantastic French dinner recipes for you to choose from!
A French Valentine’s Dinner Menu for Two
Not sure what to cook? Here is a menu that feels special without keeping you in the kitchen all night.
- To start: a glass of champagne or a crémant, or a French 75 if you want a cocktail.
- First course: French onion soup, rich and warming for a February evening.
- Main: Duck à l’Orange with a side of potato gratin or Ratatouille, paired with a red Burgundy (Pinot Noir).
- Dessert: a chocolate soufflé or crème brûlée, shared.
Set the table with candles, put on a French playlist (La Vie en Rose is a classic), and plan the timing so you finish most of the cooking before you sit down.
Dessert: Chocolate Soufflé, Crème Brûlée, or Tarte Tatin
No French-inspired Valentine’s Day is complete without dessert. Think chocolate soufflé, crème brûlée, or Tarte Tatin. These sweet treats are the perfect way to end your romantic day. Short on time? Crêpes with melted chocolate are a quick, very French alternative; see my French crêpe recipes.
Here are 25 fantastic French dessert recipes for you to choose from!
Give Gifts and Gestures of Love
In France, gift-giving tends to be thoughtful rather than extravagant. A carefully chosen present or a heartfelt note can say more than words. In the 2025 YouGov survey, the most popular planned gifts were flowers, perfume, chocolates, and jewelry. A carefully chosen present or a heartfelt handwritten note can speak volumes.
What Flowers Do the French Give on Valentine’s Day?
Red roses are the classic choice, and flowers were the most popular planned Valentine’s gift in the 2025 YouGov survey (25%).
Flowers carry messages, so choose with intention. For Valentine’s, red roses, a traditional symbol of passionate love, are perfect for a romantic partner. For a more playful or tender sentiment, choose pink flowers, which evoke delicacy and charm.
Do the French Give Chocolates on Valentine’s Day?
Sometimes, but less often than Americans might expect. Chocolates were the third most popular planned gift in the 2025 YouGov survey (17%), behind flowers and perfume. When the French do give chocolate, quality beats quantity.
A small box from a local chocolatier, chosen with care, is a lovely way to follow the French approach. Perfume was nearly as popular as flowers (21%), so a favorite fragrance is another very French idea.
Gift a box of chocolates to your favorite Valentine, or treat yourself to this sweet indulgence! If you are visiting Paris, find luscious chocolates at the best chocolate shops in the city.
Here’s my Valentine’s Day gift guide, with recommendations including French-inspired gifting.
Embracing Self-Love and Self-Care
Self-care is a big part of French beauty culture, and it fits la Saint-Valentin beautifully. To embrace this philosophy, consider a spa day, either surrounded by your closest girlfriends or in the tranquil solitude of your own home. Imagine a day filled with pampering and indulgence, echoing the luxurious treatments found in the chicest Paris spas.
From nourishing face masks infused with the scents of Provence to a relaxing bath steeped in lavender oils, each element of this spa day nods to the French art of self-care.
Such a day offers a perfect opportunity to unwind, rejuvenate, and remember that sometimes, the most meaningful love affair is the one we have with ourselves. Embracing this facet of French culture on Valentine’s Day is more than a luxury; it’s a tribute to the elegance and grace that is at the core of the French way of life.
Read more about this topic:
- French Beauty Secrets: Embracing Timeless Elegance and Art of Self-Care
- How To Create A French Hygge Style
- French Girl Beauty and Self-Care: My Routine à la Française
If You’re Single: A Frenchified Valentine’s Day for One
Not in a relationship? You can still borrow the French approach. Cook the dinner menu above just for yourself, light the candles, pour a glass of something good, and call it une soirée pour moi. Or borrow a bit of the American tradition and invite close friends over for a Galentine’s dinner. Either way, the French spirit is the same: slow down, make it beautiful, and be present.
Want more ideas for your home? See How to Frenchify Your Home, and for hosting, see How to Entertain Like the French.
Frequently Asked Questions About Valentine’s Day in France
Do the French celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Yes, but fairly quietly. In a 2025 YouGov survey, 36% of French adults planned to celebrate, while 57% did not. It is mainly a day for couples.
How do the French celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Most often with a romantic dinner, either at a restaurant (45% of those celebrating) or cooked at home (31%), often with flowers or a small gift.
What is Valentine’s Day called in France?
It is called la Saint-Valentin, and it is feminine. You may also hear la fête des amoureux (lovers’ day).
How do you say Happy Valentine’s Day in French?
You can say “Joyeuse Saint-Valentin” or “Bonne Saint-Valentin.” Both are widely used.
What do French people give each other on Valentine’s Day?
The most popular planned gifts in 2025 were flowers (25%), perfume (21%), chocolates (17%), and jewelry (16%).
Do the French give chocolates on Valentine’s Day?
Some do, but chocolates ranked behind flowers and perfume in the 2025 survey, so they are less central than in the US.
Is Valentine’s Day only for couples in France?
Mostly. It is traditionally a day for romantic partners rather than friends, family, or schoolchildren.
What is a typical French Valentine’s Day dinner?
There is no official menu. Many couples dine out, and others cook at home. A classic home menu might be French onion soup, duck à l’orange, and a chocolate soufflé or crème brûlée.
What flowers do the French give on Valentine’s Day?
Red roses are the classic romantic choice, and pink flowers suggest a gentler, more tender sentiment.
What is the village of Saint-Valentin in France?
Saint-Valentin is a tiny village of about 285 residents in the Val de Loire region that celebrates Valentine’s Day every February with a Lovers’ Garden, a special postmark, and a couples’ ceremony.
How can I celebrate Valentine’s Day French style at home?
Start with breakfast in bed, dress simply and elegantly, cook a French dinner by candlelight, share a classic dessert, and finish with a toast of champagne or a French 75.
What French movies are good for Valentine’s Day?
Amélie, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, and Romantics Anonymous (Les Émotifs anonymes) are good romantic picks.
Savor the Moment
Through a French lens, Valentine’s Day celebrates love in its most romantic form. It’s about presence and heartfelt expressions. Whether you spend the day with a special someone or indulge in self-love, adding a touch of French elegance can transform your celebration into an unforgettable experience.
So, let’s raise a glass (perhaps of fine French champagne, might I suggest a French75, or another French cocktail) to love, to France, and a Valentine’s Day filled with l’amour et la joie.
Joyeuse Saint-Valentin, and may your day be as enchanting and full of love as a stroll through the streets of Paris.
However you spend la Saint-Valentin, whether it is a candlelit dinner for two, a bubble bath for one, or champagne with your closest friends, remember the French secret: it is less about grand gestures and more about being present with the people you love, yourself included. I would love to hear how you Frenchify your Valentine’s Day, so tell me in the comments.
How about you? Any other ideas to Frenchify your Valentine’s Day? Do tell!
AUTHOR BIO
Andi Fisher
I am married to a French man; I lived in France for 3 years and have been to Paris more than 50 times. I am always a tourist, so the information, tips, and tricks I share are created to help you!
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I love all of these ideas. My daughter is all about dressing up. She’s always been a fan of French fashion.
After reading this post, it has given me some ideas. A French theme dinner sounds good to me.
love all these ideas, especially the desserts part (creme brulee is one of my fav sweet treats ever!)
This sounds like a fun theme idea for Valentine’s Day. I love the sound of French food. The soup and salad are dishes that we would both enjoy.
Such lovely Parisian ideas for Valentine’s Day! So fun to incorporate these ideas into a holiday that has to do with love. I could go for French Onion soup and nicoise salad!
Frenchifying my Valentine’s Day sounds like a great way to kick it up a notch, they really do seem to have a unique way of celebrating it and applying some of these suggestions would add a nice twist to ours!
What a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, I love the theme. I know I would enjoy the soup and salad, and the French Cuisine looks delicious.
These are such fun ideas! After all, who does romance better than the French?
This wonderful guide on how to add a touch of French romance to Valentine’s Day! The idea of celebrating love à la française is enchanting, and your suggestions are both inspiring and practical.
I’d love to visit France someday. This is a great way to experience France a bit with Valentine’s Day.
I’m single and don’t have anything planned yet. I’ll probably do something with my son. We usually just pick up dinner somewhere.
Loving these tips for Valentine’s Day and I love the idea of doing the French thing to jazz up this fun and wonderful Holiday 😉
I love all these great ideas; The desert looks so delicious along with the roses. Thanks for sharing
This post is a breath of fresh air! I’ve always been captivated by the French approach to love and life, and the idea of incorporating that into Valentine’s Day is just brilliant. Your suggestions not only sound incredibly romantic but also seem to tap into a deeper, more genuine celebration of love.