April Fools’ Day or April Fish Day in France
In many countries around the world April 1 is a day to have fun and play harmless jokes on your family and friends. April Fool’s Day or April Fish Day in France is called Poisson d’avril and it’s a day of pranks and chocolate.
Many jokes and pranks are from telling a story that is so ridiculous, but still has a chance of being true, and so is often believed. When the other person falls for the joke or prank the joker calls out “April Fool” and hopefully everyone sees the funny side and has a laugh.
Poisson d’avril or April Fish
This is a tradition in France also but instead of calling out “April Fool” we say “Poisson d’avril” which means “April Fish”. One of the favourite “April Fish” jokes among French children is to tape a paper fish to someone’s back without them knowing it. The longer the paper fish stays on someone’s back the funnier it is!
Playing jokes on each other on the first day of April is a tradition that lots of French people take part in including the media, governments and local businesses. It is quite acceptable to trick or fool others on Poisson d’avril in France, so if you are in France on 1 April watch out!
I must admit I have been fooled by my kids and even local and regional media over the years. Some things catch you out as they are supposedly reported with such detail and confidence, that it takes a double-take to recognise that it’s a prank. Have fun and watch out for those funny paper French fish!
April Fool's Day or Poisson d'avril in France - fish chocolates at Paimpol chocolate shop
Leading up to 1st April, you'll find chocolates in the shape of fish in lots of chocolateries and sometimes in boulangeries if they also sell chocolates. I found these cute sardine fish in Paimpol in late March and loved them so much I bought a cellophane bag filled with the chocolat au lait poissons (milk chocolate fish). We were very patient and waited until the first day of April, then we quickly devoured them. Aren't the foil wrappers lovely?
Fancy postcards are always a collector's item and if you're lucky, you'll find them at one of the numerous markets in France, or brocantes. There are even postcards for 1st April or Poisson d'avril with fish. I thought you might like to see some.
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