Celebrate Chandeleur: French Pancakes Galore!

February in France is all about sweet treats—and especially about Chandeleur! 

But what exactly is Chandeleur, and why do the French eat so many pancakes on this day? We’ll explain… and share an easy French crêpe recipe so you can celebrate like a true Frenchie!

Chandeleur: An Ancient Tradition

Chandeleur falls on February 2nd. Originally, it was a religious celebration of the presentation of Jesus at the Temple, but today it’s mostly the festival of crêpes.

Why pancakes?

• Their round shape and golden color symbolize the sun, a sign of light and prosperity.

• A fun tradition says: flip your first crêpe while holding a gold coin in your hand, and you’ll attract wealth all year.

Ready to test your flipping skills… and your frying pan?

Easy French Crêpe Recipe

Nothing beats a simple, classic recipe. Perfect for beginners or seasoned cooks!

Ingredients (makes ~8 crêpes)

• 250 g (2 cups) flour
  
• 4 eggs
  
• 500 ml (2 cups) milk
  
• 50 g (3.5 tbsp) melted butter
  
• A pinch of salt
  
• 2 tbsp sugar (optional, for sweet crêpes)
  
• 1 packet of vanilla sugar or a splash of rum (optional)
  

Instructions

1. Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl.
   
2. Make a well in the center, add the eggs, and stir gently.
   
3. Gradually add the milk to avoid lumps.
   
4. Add the melted butter (and sugar if using), mixing well.
   
5. Let the batter rest for 30 minutes if you can.
   
6. Heat a pan over medium heat, lightly grease it, and pour a ladle of batter.
   
7. Cook 1–2 minutes per side until golden.
   

Voilà! Perfect French crêpes ready to enjoy !

Tasty Toppings

Get creative with your crêpes:

• Classic: sugar / salted butter and sugar
  
• Chocolate: melted chocolate / Nutella
  
• Zesty: lemon and sugar
  
• Fruity: strawberries, bananas, raspberries
  

Feeling adventurous? Try a savory crêpe with ham, cheese, and egg—like a mini Breton galette. 

Learning French is about tasting French life… and crêpes! 

French Challenge

Time to practice your French food vocabulary and your pronunciation skills!

Match the French word with the English meaning

Now order your Crepe ! « Je veux une crêpe avec du chocolat et des bananes. » (I want a pancake with chocolate and banana)

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• January 16th, 2026
• Culture & Tradition News

👑 Galette des Rois: A Delicious January Tradition

January in France is synonymous with a beloved tradition: the Galette des Rois! This iconic pastry celebrates Epiphany, which takes place on January 6th, but in practice, we enjoy it all month long – with family, friends, at work, or even at sports clubs… basically wherever people want to share…

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