Chandeleur - Pancake Day

February second, 40 days after Christmas, is celebrated in France Chandeleur holiday, in Poland known as Candlemas. On this occasion, the French are pulling their special flat pans (à la poêle crêpes) or magical contraption called la crêpière and get down to cooking pancakes (les crêpes).  
Chandeleur name comes from the word la chandelle - candle. It all started with the Christian tradition of lighting candles to commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus in the Temple. After the ceremony, the faithful took candles to their homes in the hope that it will protect them from evil spirits and lightning during the storm. Then  among the peasants appeared habit of cooking pancakes. According to tradition, the most important was the first pancake. It was necessary to bake it using only right hand, holding the entire time a gold coin in left hand. Then, the coin was wrapped in a pancake and people went to the procession. After returning, they put everything in the wardrobe, which collected the remains of pancake and a coin from the previous year. then they gave a coin to the first beggar, which they met. This was to ensure family prosperity throughout the coming year.
Of course, now no one bakes pancakes to hide them in the corners. This is just a good opportunity to meet with family or friends.

 la poêle à crêpes                  la crêpière

Interesting fact: in this country there are vending machines where you can buy fresh bread and a bottle of wine.