Armistice Day in France
Armistice Day in France is a public holiday and day of remembrance commemorating the end of World War I. Known as L’armistice de la Première Guerre Mondiale in France, it occurs on 11 November annually.
I've written about other public holidays and national days of celebration in France, and the Remembrance poppy on Remembrance Day but not about Armistice Day in detail. Armistice Day is very important in France and our village and others all around us solemnly celebrate it. Here's more on what's Armistice Day, when is Armistice Day celebrated and what happens in France on Armistice Day.
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What is Armistice Day?
Armistice Day commemorates the end of World War I and is also called Veterans Day and Remembrance Day in other countries. It marks the occasion of the armistice signed between the Allied Forces and Germany at Compiègne in northern France. This signing effectively ended the war on the Western Front. Fighting however did continue in the Russian Empire and in parts of the Ottoman Empire.
When is Armistice Day Celebrated?
Armistice Day is celebrated on 11 November annually and exactly at 11am (which makes it 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month) a minutes silence is observed. This show of respect stops nations and people reflect, pray and pay respect to those who fought and to those that paid the ultimate price for the freedom that France (and many other countries) now have.
Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arc de Triomphe on Armistice Day, France
What Happens in France on Armistice Day?
France honours Armistice Day very seriously and it is one of their national holidays.
Public Holiday in France
First, it's a public holiday in France, which it is not in most countries. This means that employees get the day off work and public buildings, post offices, banks and lots of store close for the day. It's important to know this if you are travelling to France as it may impact your travel.
Parades and Ceremonies
Celebrations include military parades, ceremonies and the observance of a minute's silence at 11am. The laying of wreaths at city war monuments and village memorials is a big deal with lots of town and village centres closing their roads for the parades and wreath laying. The most public wreath laying during Armistice Day is when the French President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe.
Most flag poles across France will be flying the French flag on Armistice Day.
If you are traveling in France on Armistice Day expect public services to be altered, shops closed and streets blocked off around towns and villages.
Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arc de Triomphe on Armistice Day, France
People Wear a Bleuet (Cornflower)
The cornflower or bleuet is the symbol of remembrance in France and so you will see people wearing this flower on their jackets, used in wreaths or pinned to their beret. It was chosen because it traditionally symbolised "pure and delicate" sentiments. The profits from bleuet sales go directly to support veteran's charities.
Red poppies are also a symbol of respect but are more associated with Remembrance Day as this day is called and observed in the UK and Australia. Both red poppies and blue cornflowers are the flowers of remembrance as they grew in the fields devastated by heavy shelling and troupe movements and provided the only signs of colour and life during this traumatic time, so they have also come to symbolise hope.
Les Bleuets
Blue is also one of the three colours in the French flag and was the colour of the solider's uniforms in World War I. I also learnt that the term “Les Bleuets” became a reference to France’s young conscripted soldiers who arrived on the front line in 1915 wearing the bleu horizon uniform.
The use of this term was so well used that it was even used in postcards, poems and songs including “Bluets de France” (1916) by Alphonse Bourgoin.
These here, these little “Bleuets”
These Bleuets colour of the sky
Are beautiful, gay, stylish
Because they are not afraid.
Merrily, go forward
Go on, my friends, so long!
Good luck for you, little “blues”
Little “bleuets”, you are our hope!
- Alphonse Bourgoin
If you are in Paris, you may like to watch the parades and laying down of wreaths at the Arc de Triomphe, and if you are in the countryside, you'll find town squares with their war memorials is where proceedings will be happening. The observance of a minute's silence will be at 11am.
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