Discover All Saints’ Day in Provence and its Traditions
- virginieinprovence
- Sep 23
- 4 min read
Hello! My name is Nina, and I live in Melbourne, Australia.This autumn, I took the leap — I decided to join a French immersion program in Provence.
I chose Virginie in Provence because the place is absolutely beautiful, and Virginie is an exceptional teacher — my friend Phil had highly recommended her. I was lucky enough to arrive during that peaceful season when life begins to slow down in the South of France. It’s also the time when people celebrate one of France’s most meaningful holidays: All Saints’ Day.
In this article, I’d like to share what I discovered about this French tradition — thanks to Virginie.
I. All Saints’ Day in France: what is it?
Before telling you about my personal experience, it’s important to understand what All Saints’ Day really is.
Every year, on November 1st, families gather to honor the memory of their loved ones.
It’s both a religious and family celebration, honoring all the saints in heaven — both known and unknown.
A. All Saints’ Day in France – A religious celebration
All Saints’ Day is deeply rooted in Catholic tradition.
On this day, many families attend mass, then visit the cemetery to decorate the graves of their relatives with chrysanthemums, a symbol of respect and remembrance.
It’s a quiet day, dedicated to reflection and prayer.
B. All Saints’ Day in France – A Public Holiday
Beyond its religious meaning, All Saints’ Day is also a moment of togetherness.
In France, it’s a public holiday, often seen as a peaceful break in the year. Families take this opportunity to reunite, tend to the graves, and share memories — often around a family meal.
II. The Origins of All Saints’ Day
Let’s travel back in time for a moment…
The origins of All Saints’ Day date back to the 8th century, when Pope Gregory III dedicated a chapel to all martyrs in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The date of November 1st was chosen to coincide with an ancient Celtic festival, which marked the end of summer and the beginning of the darker season.
All Saints’ Day was therefore born from the meeting of pagan and Christian traditions, and this dual origin still gives it a rich symbolic meaning today.
III. All Saints’ Day in Provence: “Le Pont de la Toussaint”
In France, when a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or a Thursday, many people take an extra day off to “faire le pont” — literally “make the bridge” — to enjoy a longer weekend.
Last year, All Saints’ Day fell on a Friday, which made for a wonderful long weekend with family!This year, it falls on a Saturday, leaving fewer opportunities for travel.
During my stay, it happened to fall on a Tuesday — four whole days!Perfect for exploring Provence in autumn (or another region of France), don’t you think?
IV. Experiencing All Saints’ Day in Provence
After understanding the meaning of the celebration, Virginie suggested that I experience how locals celebrate All Saints’ Day here in Provence.
A. The cemetery of Aix-en-Provence
That morning, she proposed something a little different: visiting the cemetery of Aix-en-Provence.It might sound unusual, but I’m a curious person, and I love discovering French culture in unexpected ways.
In this peaceful place filled with history, I learned that Paul Cézanne, the famous 19th-century painter from Aix, is buried there.Around us, families were placing flowers, praying, and chatting quietly.
I felt truly privileged to share this intimate and cultural moment in Aix-en-Provence.
B. The Aix-en-Provence market on All Saints’ Day
After that reflective morning, we headed to the Aix-en-Provence market, held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning.
The colorful stalls were overflowing with pottery, scarves, and seasonal fruits and vegetables.
As we wandered through the market, I discovered new words and new flavors.By midday, we started to get hungry — it was time to find a table!
C. Lunch in Aix-en-Provence
I wanted to taste some authentic Provençal cuisine in a traditional restaurant.But that day, many places were already full!It quickly turned into a little treasure hunt — calling restaurants, asking for a table, chatting with the staff… a great opportunity to practice my French!
Finally, we found a table at La Ferme, near La Rotonde — one of Virginie’s favorite spots in Aix.Before lunch, we stopped to take a few photos near the statue of Cézanne, bathed in the autumn sun.
The meal was delicious, the market full of colors, and the walk simply joyful.I’ll always remember that day as one of the highlights of my stay in France.
V. Immersion in Provence
What I learned during this immersion is that Provence is something you live as much as you learn.When you come for a stay, you’ll discover much more than just the language — you’ll experience the Provençal way of life, its traditions, its markets, and its breathtaking landscapes.
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