Fêtes et coutumes populaires Les fêtes patronales—Le réveillon—Masques et travestis—Le joli mois de Mai—Les noces en Bretagne—La fête des morts—Les feux de la Saint-Jean—Danses et Musiques populaires

In this lively survey of the French folk calendar, the author guides listeners through the most familiar and oldest celebrations that still color village life. From the bustling patronal feasts of medieval guilds to the nocturnal fires of Saint‑John, each custom is unpacked with a blend of vivid anecdotes and concise historical insight. The narrative shows how seemingly simple foods, dances, or masks often trace their roots to ancient Celtic, Roman or Christian rites, revealing a hidden cosmology beneath everyday merriment.

The book also shines a spotlight on the saints who became symbolic protectors of various trades, explaining why hunters honor Saint Hubert or musicians look to Saint Cecilia. Illustrated by a set of striking early‑twentieth‑century engravings, the text invites the audience to picture the colourful processions, cantatas and communal meals that once marked each occasion. By gently peeling back layers of meaning, the work encourages listeners to appreciate these traditions not merely as nostalgia but as living expressions of cultural resilience.