French word of the day: « Le Black Friday »
And just like that, it is « Black Friday week » here in France! Yes, happy thanksgiving to all our American friends, and thank you for sending us on this side of the Atlantic a new event”!
It is official, Black Friday a thing in France. Not the “giving thanks” part, just the shopping. The French government has even created a webpage describing what all the fuss is all about, that’s how much it has taken over in recent years.
The official consigne helpfully translates it for the French as « vendredi noir » and gives consumers a few pointers on how to shop. (Obviously it would be a bit short if they just wrote “Black friday means vendredi noir, and you should shop shop shop to give the economy a boost”, so they added a bit more fluff.)
I have to say I do have a bit of a bone to pick though with “Black Friday”. No, not because I am sanctimoniously opposed to this commercial takeover. Rather, my point is why does it start so late into November??
Growing up in Canada, our thanksgiving was ages ago in mid-October. Plenty of time to get through Halloween and then slowly mosey on into the Christmas season. (I have multiple family birthdays to shop for as well, all around Christmas, so I need to buy several gifts and spread them out evenly.)
And November 28th simply seems too short to get all that shopping done? I am not a last minute person. I tackle that shopping list like a soldier on a high-risk mission. Which let’s face it, it is.
As such, I’m always twiddling my thumbs wondering when the date for American thanksgiving is going to come around. Because this is the one all the French Black Friday sales are advertising for. (There are all sorts of official laws around sales here in France. Typically vendors will jack up the prices beforehand, and then during the sales period, show “a discount”, so timing is everything.)
Unfortunately for me, or fortunately for my credit card, we’ve now all been conditioned hold our horses, waiting for a sales period to be triggered in France, based on the date of an American holiday that we don’t celebrate here.
But you know what, maybe we should!? Why just take the shopping without the festive reason behind it? Good food, quality time with family and a holiday, all things the French love.
I’m here for it. (Plus the frozen food shop Picard already has their stuffed frozen turkey on sale!)
So wherever you are, I propose we all have a piece of turkey and cheers to a happy thanksgiving! And happy Black Friday, of course.
In other news:
- I mentioned a few weeks ago that one of the most famous châteaux in France, the Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley was in dire straits financially. There are a lot of renovation works that are needed and so they are appealing for donations. Well they are also holding a concert in June 2026, called Chambord Live and drumroll: Maroon 5 has joined the lineup, if you would like to attend.
- If you like to ski, the snow has already fallen in the Alps, and resorts like Val Thorens high up in the mountains are ready and open. This would be the same Val Thorens that has just been elected the best ski station in the world for the 10th time.
- The French toddlers’ book series, Petit Ours Brun, has turned 50 years old. It still sells around 800,000 copies a year, and you can check it out here.
And in the blog:
December in France: Weather, travel, and events
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Crémant: The other (cheaper) French sparking wine
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Air fryer garlic herb pork loin roast
This delicious pork loin roast is covered with herbs and spices for a ton of flavor, and cooked to perfection in the air fryer.