French Public Holiday 

Le 15 août la fête de l’Assomption – Feast of the Assumption

So, where does the Feast of the Assumption come from in France, and why is August 15th a public holiday? Its origins date back to the reign of Louis XIII (1610–1643. Struggling to conceive an heir with his wife, Anne of Austria, the king turned to prayer, specifically invoking the Virgin Mary. Parish processions were even organized on August 15th. Miraculously, in 1638, the infant Louis—who would go on to become Louis XIV—was born. Louis XIII then decreed that August 15th would be a Marian feast day in honor of the Virgin Mary.

August 15th holds particular significance because it was originally chosen as France’s national holiday, a status it held from 1806 to 1813. Ultimately, July 14th was permanently established as the national holiday in 1880, while August 15th was designated a public holiday. As for the term “Assumption,” it did not appear until 1950, when Pope Pius XII officially proclaimed the dogma of the Assumption.

International Days

Le premier août:  Journée internationale de la frite belge
Belgians claim they invented the chip and this day could be in response to the latent injustice of having to ask for “French fries” when they travel abroad.

Du 31 juillet au 9 août – Festival Interceltique de Lorient (Inter-Celtic Festival of Lorient)
During the festival, artists from Celtic regions such as Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and even Canada, Australia, and Northern Spain are invited.
Et la Nouvelle-Zélande alors ?

Le 3 août : Journée de la pastèque:  Watermelon Day
In 2026, this is when the fruit will be at its sweetest and juiciest. There are tastings and competitions for the best sculptures and pip spitting etc. Apparently the pips can be eaten and are a superfood full of magnesium, zinc and iron.

Le 7 août:  Journée internationale de la bière : World Beer Day
This on the first Friday of August each year. Germans are the top beer drinkers followed by the people of the Czech Republic and then Ireland. NZ is 27th on the list but still drinks twice as much beer as people in France who are 44th on the list. Great to see the revival of the brasseries et craft beer. La biérologie ou zytologie est la “discipline” qui se consacre à l’étude de la bière.

Le 8 août: Journée internationale du chat : World Cat Day
As an absolute non-cat person, this, I have difficulty understanding. But nevertheless here is a very small poem:
Moi, j’ai, un chat japonais.
Ma soeur aime bien, les chats australiens.
Mon cousin a, dans son jardin, un très gros chat sud-africain.
Attention, c’est un lion !
… which leads naturally to …

Le 10 août: Journée mondiale du lion : World Lion Day
Unfortunately, the lion population has plummeted by 96% in 60 years, primarily due to the growth of “trophy hunting.”

Le 12 août: Journée mondiale des éléphants : World Elephant Day
As with lions, we should really be speaking of a World Elephant Protection Day. The problem is poaching, driven by the persistently high demand for ivory products.

Le 16 août – Journée international du du géocaching : International Geo-caching Day
The third Saturday in August is the day to get out and about and use your GPS locaters to find hidden caches.  It’s like a high tech treasure hunt and it’s fun.

Le 17 août: Journée international du chat noir : Black Cat Day
The 8th August is cat day but this one is just for the black ones that, probably because of the superstitions surrounding them, are the last to get chosen at the SPCA.

Le 18 août– Journée international du pinot noir : International Pinot Noir Day.
It is time to celebrate one of the world’s most elegant and complex wine grapes, which thrives in the coldest wine regions of France like Burgundy, Loire Valley, Alsace, and Champagne. The day highlights iconic producing regions such as Oregon, and New Zealand, as well.

Le 19 août  : Journée Mondiale de la Photographie : Photography Day
This is the date in 1839 when the French government celebrated the 4 year old Daguerreotype invented by Louis Daguerre. If you have nothing better to do at 18:39 on Tuesday the 19^th, it is suggested you take a photo at exactly this time.

Le 20 août  : Journée Mondiale des Moustiques : dengue fever

World Mosquito Day is observed annually on August 20. It commemorates the historic 1897 discovery by British physician Sir Ronald Ross, who proved that female mosquitoes transmit malaria to humans. This day aims to raise public awareness about the dangers of the diseases. Think dengue fever, too.

Le 19 au 25 August – Fêtes de la Saint Louis in Sète
This Festival is dedicated to the Sun King (Louis XIV), who decided to build the port of Sète,  rather than the patron saint of fishermen (Saint Peter). The town celebrates with water jousting and games hosted along the Royal Canal.

Le 26 août – Journée Mondiale Topless : Go Topless Day
No words required.

Le 28 août – Journée international du Cabernet Sauvignon : International Cabernet Sauvignon Day
Celebrated on this date in the Bordeaux region where it originated (and in Australia so I guess us too), Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most renowned red wine grapes, known for its bold structure, hints of oak, and rich flavours of blackcurrant and blackberry. Cabernet Sauvignon was developed quite by accident in the seventeenth century. A red Cabernet Franc grape plant bred with a white Sauvignon Blanc grape plant in a French vineyard. The happy accident led to the making of one of the most popular wines in history.

Le 28 août : Journée du nœud papillon :  Bow Tie Day
Great way to link with the Pinot Noir Day. Famous bow tie wearers include Jean Dujardin, Stromae, Georges Clooney et James Bond.

Le 29 août– Journée international contre les essais nucléaires : International day against Nuclear Testing
This day in NZ could perhaps be called French Letter Day.

Le 29 – 30 août : Nuit internationale de la chauve-souris : Night of the Bat
The last weekend in August (during their summer) is the occasion in France and elsewhere to better get to know these small nocturnal creatures. There are native bats locally at Otanewainuku.

Le 31 août– Journée international du blog : International Blog Day
The word “blog” comes from a blend of “Web” and “log”—literally, a logbook on the Net.