Valentine's Day 2026
February 14, 2026
By David Chelly, updated January 31, 2026
Origin and history of the Day of Lovers
Valentine's Day has been celebrated for centuries as the day of lovers. So why this date? Is there a religious origin to this celebration? A pagan origin, or simply a quirk of the calendar? In fact, no one really knows where the idea came from or how it reached us. It is nevertheless celebrated throughout Europe and even in the United States and Canada. It seems that the true origin of this date comes from a very old Anglo- Saxon tradition: people had reason to believe that this was the day when birds chose to sing gaily in the trees. Lovers like to share a moment together.
Who was Saint Valentine, the Patron Saint of Lovers
Saint Valentine is a Christian martyr, often considered the patron saint of lovers. According to Christian tradition, he lived in the 3rd century under the Roman emperor Claudius II. He is mainly known for having defended love and the union of couples despite the emperor's bans.
Claudius II is said to have banned marriages for young soldiers, believing they were more effective if not tied down by wives and families. Valentine, a priest in Rome, is said to have defied this ban and continued to secretly marry young couples. Because of his actions, he was arrested and imprisoned, then sentenced to death. Legend has it that he healed his jailer's daughter, which contributed to his reputation as a miracle-working saint. Before his execution, he is said to have left the young woman a message signed "From your Valentine," a phrase said to have given rise to the tradition of cards and love notes associated with this date.
Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14, gradually became a day dedicated to lovers. However, the exact details of Saint Valentine's life remain hazy and shrouded in myths and legends.
February 14, Valentine's Day, day of lovers
It was the return of birdsong and other bird calls that led people to think that February 14 was the awakening of the birds and therefore of lovers. It became an almost sacred day in many places where all lovers like to share a moment together. Most often, it's a simple outing to a restaurant, the movies, or the cemetery for the more melancholy among us. It's customary to give a friend or loved one a flower of the day — a red rose, of course, a sign of eternal love.
Is there a link between the Day of Lovers and the town of Saint-Valentin?
There is a link between Valentine's Day and certain towns bearing that name, but it is not directly established that these towns have a historical connection with the saint himself. In France, for example, there is a small municipality named Saint-Valentin, located in the Indre department. This town, often nicknamed "the village of lovers," takes advantage of the holiday's popularity to attract couples, notably by organizing Valentine's Day events. The town has indeed made good use of the name Saint-Valentin as a way to promote tourism and romantic activities.
However, there is no historical proof that this town is directly linked to the life of Saint Valentine, the Christian martyr. The town's name seems more like a coincidence or a symbolic appropriation of the name, due to the association of Valentine's Day with love and romance. Even though towns like Saint-Valentin in France celebrate Valentine's Day, the link is more cultural and symbolic than historical.
Are you meant for Valentine's Day? A few gift ideas
The classic: flowers
The elegant: jewelry, a meal
The unusual: a trip