November is a meaningful month in France — a time to remember, reflect, and honor. Between La Toussaint (All Saints’ Day) and Le 11 Novembre (Armistice Day), French classrooms turn their attention to memory, gratitude, and national history. These two holidays offer powerful opportunities to connect students with French culture and values while practicing language in authentic, thoughtful ways.
What Is La Toussaint?
La Toussaint, celebrated on November 1st, is a national holiday in France dedicated to remembering saints and loved ones who have passed away. Families often visit cemeteries to place chrysanthemums on graves — the flower that symbolizes remembrance.
In the classroom, La Toussaint provides a gentle way to discuss cultural traditions around family, memory, and gratitude.
Ideas for teaching La Toussaint in French class:
Introduce key vocabulary: la tombe, les fleurs, le cimetière, les chrysanthèmes, se souvenir.
Compare La Toussaint with Día de los Muertos or All Saints’ Day in your students’ own cultures.
Have students create a small reflection poster titled Je me souviens de... to honor someone or something meaningful.
✨ To make your lessons even easier, explore my La Toussaint Bundle — a complete, differentiated cultural unit for Core French and Immersion. Students learn how the French honor their loved ones, compare traditions with Día de los Muertos, and reflect on family customs through creative and language-rich tasks.
The bundle includes:
La Toussaint Activity Packet with bilingual presentations, comprehension questions, and creative projects
La Toussaint & French Halloween Paper Quilt, a collaborative display activity
La Toussaint Chat Mat, perfect for pair speaking or group discussion
If you’d like students to explore further, you could assign the article “All Saints’ Day in France – La Toussaint: A French Tradition” as optional reading.
Understanding Le 11 Novembre — France’s Remembrance Day
Just ten days later, France commemorates Le 11 Novembre, the anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I in 1918. The day honors all soldiers who died for France, with ceremonies held across the country.
Students often find it moving to learn that every year, the President of France lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The eternal flame (la flamme éternelle) burns there as a symbol of remembrance.
Classroom ideas for Le 11 Novembre:
Watch a short video or slideshow about the Arc de Triomphe ceremony.
Teach relevant vocabulary: la guerre, le soldat, le drapeau, la cérémonie, la paix.
Listen to or read “La Marseillaise” and discuss its meaning.
Reflect on peace with prompts like Qu’est-ce que la paix signifie pour toi ?
For a ready-to-use option, try my Remembrance Day in France Bundle. It includes everything you need to teach Le Jour du Souvenir in a meaningful, differentiated way:
Le Jour du Souvenir Reading Comprehension Packet with three reading levels and vocabulary activities
Remembrance Day Presentation (French + English) with slides, mini quiz, and discussion prompts
Collaborative Poster Activity — Veterans Day in France, where students research l’Armistice, le Soldat inconnu, and le bleuet du souvenir
Connecting Culture and Language in french class
Both La Toussaint and Le 11 Novembre are wonderful opportunities to integrate:
Vocabulary building through themed word walls or mini flashcards.
Reading and listening comprehension with short cultural texts or videos.
Writing and speaking practice through reflections and class discussions.
These lessons go beyond grammar — they teach empathy, cultural awareness, and a deeper understanding of French society.
Teaching La Toussaint and Le 11 Novembre helps students connect with French history, values, and traditions — while offering space for kindness and gratitude. These moments remind us that language learning isn’t just about words and grammar, but about the stories and emotions that shape a culture.
Whether through a collaborative poster, a reflective writing activity, or a short discussion about la paix, your November French lessons can be both educational and heartfelt.