Good Friday, known as Vendredi Saint in French, is an important religious holiday observed in France. The day commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary as mentioned in the Christian Bible. While not a public holiday across all of France, it is widely observed in certain regions such as Alsace and Moselle, where businesses and schools are closed, and several traditions and ceremonies are upheld.
In these regions, traditional Good Friday observances can vary greatly. Some churches hold services and liturgies that specifically focus on the last words that Jesus spoke before his death, otherwise known as the Seven Last Words from the Cross. Worshipers often partake in the Stations of the Cross, a series of depictions of Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion, offering prayers at each station. The solemn and sombre tone of the day is preserved with most activities centered on the aspect of mourning.
Aside from religious ceremonies, Good Friday in France also sees different culinary traditions being observed. Coinciding with the lent period, many people choose to eat fish instead of meat as a form of penance. Specific traditional recipes such as the hot cross bun are also prepared in some households. Despite it not being a public holiday, Good Friday is treated with respect, observance, and solemnity across the parts of France that commemorate it, thus making it a significant day in the country's religious calendar.