Birthday Traditions in France: How do the French Celebrate Birthdays?
Invited to the birthday of a French friend or colleague? You can find everything you need to know about French birthday celebrations here!
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French Birthday VocabularyHow to wish “happy birthday” in French?Birthday Wishes in FrenchFrench Birthday TraditionsIf you grew up in a Western country such as those in Europe or North America, you will be pleasantly surprised to know that French birthday traditions are not very different from the ones you are familiar with. A good French birthday celebration involves a party, some cake, blowing out candles and presents. However, here are some small differences to keep in mind.
French Birthday Vocabulary
Before heading to the party, make sure that you are heading to a birthday celebration, and not an anniversary: the French use the word anniversaire for both.
How to wish “happy birthday” in French?
- Bon anniversaire!
- Joyeux anniversaire!
- Heureux anniversaire! (less common)
- Bonne fête! (common in Québec, but not in France)
Some useful vocabulary:
- le gâteauThe cake
- les bougiesThe candles
- une carte d’anniversaireA birthday card
- une fête d’anniversaire / un goûter d’anniversairea birthday party / a birthday afternoon snack party
- un cadeauA present
Birthday Wishes in French
Like many other countries, the French sing the same traditional birthday song you grew up with, with the translated lyrics:
- Joyeux anniversaire,
- Joyeux anniversaire,
- Joyeux anniversaire [prénom],
- Joyeux anniversaire!
- Happy birthday to you,
- Happy birthday to you,
- Happy birthday [name],
- Happy birthday to you!
However, some families sing another birthday song, “Bon anniversaire, nos vœux les plus sincères”, with a different tune. It is a separate song by Louiguy and Jacques Larue, rather than an extended version of “Happy Birthday”.
- Bon anniversaire
- Nos vœux les plus sincères
- Que ces quelques fleurs
- Vous apportent le bonheur
- Que l’année entière
- Vous soit douce et légère
- Et que l’an fini
- Nous soyons tous réunis
- Pour chanter en chœur
- Bon anniversaire !
- Happy birthday
- Our most heartfelt wishes
- We hope these flowers
- Will bring you happiness
- May the year to come
- Be light and happy
- And that at the end of the year
- We will be together
- To sing in unison
- Happy birthday!
French Birthday Traditions
Birthday traditions in France are for the most part very similar to the ones you may be used to.
1. Birthday celebrations in France
Birthday parties in France usually include some form of sweet treat. However, French birthday cakes are often very different from the over-the-top, frosted confections that are common in North America.
Unless they are celebrating a milestone birthday, the French mostly stick with a simple cake which is usually homemade.
Although colorful frosting is starting to make an appearance in some urban areas, the French tend to decorate their cakes with fruits (fresh or candied), flowers, nuts, whipped cream, and confectioner’s sugar.
Want to have a French birthday cake? Check out these common birthday cakes:
- Gâteau au yaourt (yoghurt cake)
- Gâteau marbré (chocolate marble cake)
- Gâteau au chocolat (chocolate cake)
Some French families use a fruit tart (tarte aux fruits) instead of a cake. Although ordering cake from a pâtisserie is not unheard of, it is usually reserved for special celebrations, like a milestone birthday.
Like in most Western countries, the cake is usually brought up at the height of the birthday celebrations while the guests sing “Joyeux anniversaire” and the birthday boy or girl blows out the candles after making a wish.
2. What to bring for a present?
Although you are expected to bring a present at birthday parties, it does not have to break the bank, especially if you don’t know the birthday celebrant very well. Birthday cards are always welcome.
For children, pick an age-appropriate toy or book.
For adults, if you are not familiar with the birthday boy or girl’s tastes, there are some safe bets that will make your French friend very happy while avoiding the embarrassment of a faux-pas:
- Flowers, either a fresh bouquet or a live plant, are a very appropriate present especially for women
- Edible gifts, like chocolates from a chocolaterie, regional specialties, or gourmet goods, are well-received for both men and women.
- A good bottle of wine (don’t hesitate to ask a vendor if you are not familiar with wine yourself) also makes a great present, but don’t be surprised if your host doesn’t open it right away. The French pick wine according to what is being served for the meal and your host will most likely have chosen wine for the birthday celebrations already.
- Home décor, like a candle or a vase in neutral colors, can also be a good present
- A book, the latest bestseller, for example, makes for a great gift
- Avoid personal beauty products like perfume, make-up or clothing if you don’t know the person’s taste very well
3. Birthday parties for children
Birthday parties for children are often celebrated on a Wednesday or Saturday afternoon. Many primary-school children have Wednesday afternoons free, but timetables vary by school and age.
Sundays are often reserved for family activities and birthday parties are seldom held on that day.
Children’s birthdays usually take place around afternoon snack time (le goûter), between 3 pm and 5 pm. Older children like pre-teens and teens sometimes organize a dance party at a later time on a Saturday evening.
Although adults are sometimes served a whole meal, birthday parties for children usually involve a lighter fare, with the cake being the highlight of the party.
Parties are usually more straightforward affairs than the ones that can be found in the United States. Décor is typically limited to a few balloons and cardboard decorations.
People don’t always hire outside entertainment like a magician or a princess, but games are sometimes organized to keep the children busy. If your child is expected to dress up, the invitation will say so.
Parents are not expected to stay except for very young children, so assume that you will be dropping your children off and picking them up at the end of the party. It’s always a good idea to leave your phone number to the host in case there are any issues.
Most birthday parties take place at home instead of hired venues.
Ready to celebrate your French birthday?
