Paris often steals the highlight for love, however within the coronary heart of France is a small village with a way more romantic declare to fame. Saint-Valentin is the one area in France named after the patron saint of affection.
While many of the world celebrates Saint Valentine’s Day for twenty-four hours, the Capital of Romance celebrates it twelve months a 12 months, and much more so on the times main as much as Valentine’s Day on 14 February.
For Valentine’s weekend 2026, the 285 inhabitants are getting ready to rejoice and welcome guests from throughout France and overseas with a formidable program for his or her 62n/a Valentine’s Day, all about love.
There’s a way of peace on this commune within the heart of the Loire Valley area of France, with no crowded monuments it is simple to stroll about; excellent however not overwhelming.
Instead, {couples} can stroll hand in hand via the Lovers Garden, the Garden of Lovers, the point of interest of the village, a four-acre lush backyard that makes you wish to change off and spend time with nature.
The backyard undertaking started in 1989, when Mr Pierre Rousseau, solely 31 years outdated, took workplace as mayor of Saint Valentin. His ambition was clear. He needed to rework the city into a spot the place {couples} might rejoice year-round, not simply on February 14. It stays his primary occupation.
Now in workplace for 49 years, Rousseau’s imaginative and prescient has confirmed profitable, embraced by each residents and guests.
The in style backyard is provided with a bandstand and plenty of bushes, two particularly that guests search out.
The Wishing Tree (The Tree of Vows) is a stable steel sculpture with {couples}’ names and dates engraved on steel hearts, moderately than carved right into a tree trunk. Nearby stands one other tree, an actual one, The Tree of Hearts (the Tree of Hearts), adorned with paper hearts, ribbons, or notes with vows, private messages, or needs for the longer term.
And for these in search of much more dedication, lovers are inspired to plant bushes to represent their love. As the tree grows, so will their love for one another.
For romantics, getting married in Valentine’s Day, the Capital of Romance, is the final word dream. However, as Mayor Rousseau explains, French regulation may be very clear on marriage.
“Lots of people want to get married in Saint Valentin, but one of them must be a resident of the village to be married in the commune,” he mentioned. But Mr Rousseau discovered an answer.
The mayor launched the ‘Certificate for Lovers’, a novel ceremony, carried out by the mayor himself, as a approach to seal their love and obtainable for newly married {couples} in addition to visiting married {couples}.
People from many areas of France apply for the “Diploma of Love, but they must register before 6 February. “It’s a real pleasure to make couples happy,” he provides.
Ceremonies will happen on the Town Hall on 14-15 February this 12 months. Couples may obtain a particular blessing on the Church of Saint Valentinewith blessing ceremonies going down on each days.
During Valentine’s weekend, the city heart shall be draped in garlands, with a number of exhibitions, shows and native meals to take pleasure in. According to the Town Hall, a few of the displays may have native crafts, handcrafted soaps, jewellery, pottery, and ceramics.
The connoisseur market will embrace jams, honey truffles and chocolate. Lunch and dinner, full with musical leisure on Saturday, will draw crowds from overseas, the city and close by villages. This 12 months, the Fields of Love Tourist Office, accountable for tourism within the area, has organized a two-day free interactive recreation for adults.
Consultant Fanny Chauffeteau defined: “By correctly completing the challenge, participants will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win several exceptional gifts. One of the top prizes is a meal at the gourmet restaurant ‘As of February 14’ in Valentine’s Day.”
This Michelin-star restaurant is one other good motive to go to Saint Valentin. Masami Kimura, the 63-year-old Japanese proprietor, and his workers have been serving a refined mix of French delicacies and Japanese influences for 20 years. Diners just like the intimate, cozy environment: with solely 10 to 12 tables, reservations are a should right here.
The village of Lovers has a novel reference to stamps–a particular postmark related to Saint Valentine’s Day.
The concept of a Lover’s Stamp started in 1980, when the mayor contacted and persuaded the French cartoonist Raymond Peynet to design a stamp that includes a particular motif for the village. The legendary cartoonist produced a postal marking exhibiting two entwined hearts.
The village now had its personal stamp: a coronary heart with two lovers, The Lovers. In 1985, the French Postal Service, The Post Officecreated its beloved theme ‘cancellation postmark’, the primary commemorative stamp that includes the artist’s work.
The custom continues with a brand new stamp yearly. The village publish workplace will get very busy round Valentine’s Day. The new stamp is already out, and avid collectors intention to get the official Saint Valentin postmark on their envelopes, proving that it got here from the Capital of Romance.
While many rural communities in France are declining as younger individuals transfer away, Saint Valentin, although small, stands robust, quietly preserving its romantic custom and persevering with to thrive.
It encourages individuals to plant bushes and invitations them again to see how their love has grown. No large gestures right here. In Saint Valentin, the capital of Romance, the village provides one thing extra intimate, extra honest, and extra rooted in group.
In Valentine’s Day, love is not a day; it is a lifestyle.
Lead photograph credit score: Valentine’s Day Town HallPhoto: Champs d’Amour Tourism Office ©
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