Valentine's Day in Switzerland & France: Guide for Expats

Valentine’s Day (la Saint‑Valentin) is celebrated on February 14th in both France and Switzerland, but the way people mark the occasion can feel slightly different in each country.

If you’re learning French and living in France or Switzerland, this guide will help you understand the traditions, cultural nuances, and useful vocabulary you might hear around this romantic time of year. Understanding French and Swiss culture is key to integration.

Valentine’s Day in France: Romantic Traditions

France is often seen as one of the most romantic countries in the world, so it’s no surprise that Valentine’s Day is taken seriously by many couples.

Common traditions

• Couples exchange cards (des cartes), flowers (des fleurs), and chocolates (des chocolats)

• Red roses are the most popular flowers

• Romantic dinners at restaurants or at home are very common

• Jewelry (des bijoux) and perfume (du parfum) are classic gifts

  
  

In French dating culture, Valentine’s Day is mainly for romantic partners, not for friends or family. Schools and workplaces usually do not organize activities for the day.

Valentine’s Day in Switzerland: A Low-Key Celebration

In Switzerland, Valentine's Day is celebrated too, but Swiss traditions around this holiday tend to be more low-key than in France.

Swiss habits

• Couples exchange small gifts, flowers, or chocolates

• Homemade gifts and cards are appreciated

• Some people also give gifts to close friends or family members, especially chocolates.

Swiss culture values simplicity and sincerity, so extravagant gestures are less common than in France.

Multilingual influence

Because Switzerland has four national languages, you may hear:

• la Saint‑Valentin (French)

• Valentinstag (German)

• San Valentino (Italian)

But the date and the romantic meaning stay the same.

Essential French Vocabulary for Valentine’s Day in Switzerland & France

French	English
l’amour	love
un couple	a couple
un cadeau	a gift
un rendez‑vous	a date
tomber amoureux / amoureuse	to fall in love
joyeuse Saint‑Valentin	happy Valentine’s Day

Try using these romantic French phrases in a sentence to practice! Learning French idioms will help you sound more natural.

Cultural Tips for French Learners

Watching how holidays are celebrated is a great way to learn culture and vocabulary at the same time. Around Valentine’s Day, listen for expressions like:

• Tu fais quelque chose pour la Saint‑Valentin ?

• On sort dîner ce soir.

  
  

These phrases are common in everyday conversations in February.

Whether in France or Switzerland, Valentine’s Day is a moment to celebrate love, connection, and affection. Understanding these traditions will help you feel more confident socially and more fluent culturally in French‑speaking environments. Mastering French conversation goes beyond just vocabulary.

Want to learn more French through culture? Our French courses cover cultural topics, everyday vocabulary, and conversation practice tailored for expats in Switzerland and France.

Joyeuse Saint Valentin ! ❤️

Audrey, your French teacher.