Introduction
France is not just the land of wine, cheese, and literature: it is also rich in traditions and popular beliefs. Behind every everyday gesture, there are sometimes stories centuries old, inherited from Christianity, the Middle Ages, or even Antiquity.
Some superstitions bring bad luck, while others promise fortune and prosperity.
Let’s explore these often surprising French beliefs that reveal a lot about the culture and collective imagination!
🐈 The Black Cat
FR : Voir un chat noir, c’est un signe de malchance.
EN: Seeing a black cat brings bad luck.
In the Middle Ages, black cats were associated with witchcraft and the devil. It is also said that Napoleon crossed paths with a black cat before his defeat at Waterloo. Since then, their reputation has remained ambiguous, and they are still the least adopted cats in shelters.
🔢 The Number 13
FR : Être 13 à table porte malheur.
EN: Being 13 at the table means bad luck.
This belief comes from the Last Supper of Christ with his 12 apostles. In the collective imagination, it has long been a symbol of disaster. Today, Friday the 13th divides opinions: for some, it is a day of misfortune; for others, an incredible stroke of luck (many people play the lottery on this day!).
🥖 Bread Upside Down
FR : Ne mets jamais le pain à l’envers sur la table.
EN: Never put bread upside down on the table.
In the Middle Ages, bakers would turn the bread intended for the executioner upside down, who was busy at noon with public executions. Bread upside down was therefore associated with death and misfortune. Even today, this gesture is shocking, as bread remains a sacred food for the French.
🧂 Spilling Salt
FR : Renverser du sel porte malheur, sauf si tu en jettes une pincée derrière ton épaule gauche.
EN: Spilling salt brings bad luck, unless you throw some over your left shoulder.
Spilling salt was seen as a sign of dispute or ruin, since salt was a rare and valuable commodity. This superstition also comes from the Bible: Judas reportedly knocked over a salt cellar during the Last Supper.
🪜 Walking Under a Ladder
FR : Ne passe jamais sous une échelle.
EN: Never walk under a ladder.
A ladder leaning against a wall forms a triangle, symbolizing the Holy Trinity. Walking underneath it was seen as “breaking” this sacred symbol, thus inviting misfortune.
🪞 Breaking a Mirror
FR : Briser un miroir porte 7 ans de malheur.
EN: Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck.
This superstition dates back to the Romans, who believed that a mirror reflected the soul. The misfortune would last seven years, as that was the time needed to regenerate the soul.
🪵 Knocking on Wood
FR : Touche du bois pour conjurer le mauvais sort.
EN: Knock on wood to ward off bad luck.
This widely used expression comes from antiquity: the Persians believed that wood protected the soul. Later, Christians associated it with the cross of Christ, a symbol of protection.
🤞 Crossing Fingers
FR : Croiser les doigts porte chance.
EN: Crossing fingers brings good luck.
Today, we say: “I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you.” This gesture originates from the Christian symbolism of the cross, meant to ward off evil.
☂️ Opening an Umbrella Indoors
FR : N’ouvre pas un parapluie à l’intérieur de la maison.
EN: Don’t open an umbrella indoors.
This belief appeared in the 18th century with the first metal umbrellas and had a practical origin: they were heavy and dangerous, capable of breaking objects or injuring someone.
🥂 Toasting Eye to Eye
FR : Si tu ne regardes pas ton partenaire dans les yeux en trinquant, tu auras 7 ans de malheur en amour.
EN: If you don’t look in the eyes when toasting, you’ll get seven years of bad luck in love.
This tradition comes from the Middle Ages: looking into someone’s eyes was a way to prove you were not poisoning your drinking companion.
🎭 Wearing Green on Stage
FR : Ne porte pas de vert au théâtre.
EN: Don’t wear green on stage.
According to legend, Molière died on stage wearing green. Since then, this color has been banned in the world of theater.
🐎 The Horseshoe
FR : Un fer à cheval au-dessus de la porte attire la chance.
EN: A horseshoe above the door brings good luck.
In France, the horseshoe is hung with the open end facing up to “catch” luck. It is one of the most common symbols of protection.
🚶 Getting Up on the Left Foot
FR : Se lever du pied gauche porte malheur.
EN: Getting up on the left foot brings bad luck.
In French, the phrase “se lever du pied gauche” describes a bad day. This superstition comes from antiquity, where the left side (Latin: sinister) was associated with misfortune.
💩 Stepping in Dog Poop
FR : Marcher dans une crotte avec le pied gauche porte bonheur.
EN: Stepping in dog poop with your left foot brings good luck.
A peculiar French twist: while such an incident always seems unpleasant, the French see it as an unexpected stroke of luck!
Conclusion
French superstitions are much more than a set of strange beliefs: they reflect religion, history, fears, and even the humor of a people. Learning these traditions helps you better understand the culture and enrich your French with new expressions.
👉 At L’Atelier An Phu, we believe language is learned not just from books, but also through these little everyday stories.
Join our French courses to discover even more customs, words, and cultural secrets that will make your learning lively and fun!
