St Patrick's Day is also celebrated in France

St Patrick’s Day is celebrated on 17 March by the Irish to honour Saint Patrick, a missionary who greatly contributed to converting Ireland to Christianity.

But who was Saint Patrick?

Maewyn Succat, a young Scottish Catholic, was kidnapped by pirates and sold in Ireland. He managed to escape after six years of captivity, before travelling to France where he first became a priest and then a bishop. The Pope himself gave him the name “Patricius” and entrusted him with the mission of converting Ireland to Christianity. The Church canonised him years after his death. It is said that he used the three-leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity to the people. Since that day, the clover has been the national emblem of Ireland, and the Irish proudly wear it on their lapel on St Patrick’s Day.

St Patrick’s Day in France

St Patrick’s Day has been growing in popularity in France for several years. While pubs go green and run happy hours, Celtic music shows and concerts are packed. Here is a programme of what you can do to celebrate St Patrick 2015:

Various Celtic music shows, dancers and singers will perform throughout France with the best Irish, Scottish and Breton troupes.

– Disney Village and Disneyland Paris go green for St Patrick’s Day, from 16 to 17 March. Come along in green to sample beers (in moderation) – Olympia as usual hosts the “Celtic Legends”, while the Casino de Paris celebrates the “Celtic Show” – Irish pubs are ideal for immersing yourself in Irish tradition and spending an animated and friendly evening. Here are some essential addresses in the capital: Guiness Tavern (1st), O’Sullivan (18th), La Taverne de Cluny (5th), Celtic Corner Pub (15th), Obrien’s (7th)

Come and celebrate on 17 March and wander from pub to pub, from Lille to Marseille, via Toulouse, Bordeaux, Rennes, Nantes, Strasbourg, Montpellier, Nice or Paris. The evening promises to be festive!

Sextant also celebrates St Patrick’s Day!

Mathieu Uzel, mandate agent at Sextant France in Haute Savoie, is organising St Patrick’s Day for the third time this year, on behalf of a parents’ association from his village in the Abondance valley.

This is an opportunity to discover British traditions! For this, he has engaged groups with Irish sounds with dance step demonstrations. The hall is transformed into a giant pub and thus good humour and friendliness are on hand. Come along in large numbers to sample numerous beers and buckwheat galettes!