French Expressions for Special Occasions

Learn some idiomatic French expressions related to holidays and other special occasions. Click each link for a detailed lesson of that expression, including examples of usage and a sound file.

la rentrée - back to school

À la vôtre ! - Cheers!

Bon appétit ! - Enjoy the meal!

Bonne Année et bonne santé ! - Happy New Year!

c'est cadeau - it's on the house

Ce n'est pas mardi gras aujourd'hui - What you're wearing is ridiculous

le chassé-croisé des juillettistes et des aoûtiens - huge traffic jams at end of July, beginning of August

faire cadeau - to give a present; to let off easily

faire le pont - to make it a long (four-day) weekend

faire un temps de Toussaint - to have cold and grey weather

meilleurs vœux - best wishes

Noël malin - Christmas sales

Le nouveau est arrivé - Beaujolais nouveau is here


French birthday wishes | French holiday wishes