The Solemn Celebrations of All Saints Day in Paris
Falling on the first of November each year, the All Saints Day is an important Roman Catholic holiday in France. As the nation is predominantly Roman Catholic, millions of Parisians celebrate this holy day on the calendar with much reverence. The idea behind the celebrations is to commemorate all the Christian saints and to make up for any lapses in faith during the year. Various festivals and church feasts are held for the celebration.
All Saints Day is a public holiday in France so expect the streets to be crowded with thousands of people enjoying their day off. The day following the celebrations is All Souls Day, a day which honours those who are yet to reach heaven. The Catholics believe that in praying for the Saints and the Souls of those who are living, those who are in heaven and also those who are yet on the path to heaven are joined together, thereby, all souls who are on heaven, earth and elsewhere are believed to be linked during this holiday.
It is customary in France and in many other European countries for relatives to visit the graves of their departed family and friends on this day. Thus, many of Paris's cemeteries would be crowded with people bearing flowers to lay on the tombstones of their loved.
The history of All Saints Day and All Souls day goes back to the 5th century AD. In France it has great national significance and children are given a two week break from school as well. Celebrations are very solemn and are limited to decorating the graves of loved ones with flowers and candles. On the eve of All Souls Day, prayers are recited for the dead, funeral songs are sung and Paris' churches are draped in black.
Though this may not be the most festive time of year to visit France, as it is a national holiday many families tend to venture out of the cities to visit their relatives in the country. Tourists in luxury hotels Paris such as the Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris would find this the ideal time to venture out and explore at their own pace. Palace hotels Paris are the ideal option to base oneself to wander around the city.
All Saints Day is a public holiday in France so expect the streets to be crowded with thousands of people enjoying their day off. The day following the celebrations is All Souls Day, a day which honours those who are yet to reach heaven. The Catholics believe that in praying for the Saints and the Souls of those who are living, those who are in heaven and also those who are yet on the path to heaven are joined together, thereby, all souls who are on heaven, earth and elsewhere are believed to be linked during this holiday.
It is customary in France and in many other European countries for relatives to visit the graves of their departed family and friends on this day. Thus, many of Paris's cemeteries would be crowded with people bearing flowers to lay on the tombstones of their loved.
The history of All Saints Day and All Souls day goes back to the 5th century AD. In France it has great national significance and children are given a two week break from school as well. Celebrations are very solemn and are limited to decorating the graves of loved ones with flowers and candles. On the eve of All Souls Day, prayers are recited for the dead, funeral songs are sung and Paris' churches are draped in black.
Though this may not be the most festive time of year to visit France, as it is a national holiday many families tend to venture out of the cities to visit their relatives in the country. Tourists in luxury hotels Paris such as the Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris would find this the ideal time to venture out and explore at their own pace. Palace hotels Paris are the ideal option to base oneself to wander around the city.
