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Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day 2025, 2026 and 2027

Each 14 February in France is a significant observance for Saint Valentine’s Day. La Saint Valentin, or Saint Valentine’s Day, is pre-eminently a day for couples in love, but the observance also has Roman Catholic roots in many ways.

YearDateDayHoliday
202514 FebFriValentine's Day
202614 FebSatValentine's Day
202714 FebSunValentine's Day
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

The story behind Valentine’s Day goes back to the Roman Empire days when Emperor Claude II banned the sacrament of marriage and marriage itself amongst young people. However, a priest named Valentine began conducting weddings in secret, for which he was ultimately arrested and executed.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Pope Gelase I declared Valentine a saint. Centuries later, the date of his execution, 14 February, is celebrated by many as a tribute to the resilience and sacrifice of true love in the face of oppression.

The symbols of Valentine’s Day include Cupid, the Roman god of love, with his bow and arrow ready to strike the heart of his “victims” with lovesickness. Pink and red hearts also figure prominently. Giving of red or pink flowers, chocolates, greeting cards, and other gifts is part of the tradition. Many couples go out for romantic dinners and spend the whole day together.

Previous Years

YearDateDayHoliday
202414 FebWedValentine's Day
202314 FebTueValentine's Day