Poisson d’avril is a quintessential French holiday. While its name literally means “April Fish,” it is in essence French April Fool’s Day. Dating back hundreds of years, this holiday is steeped in tradition, such as sticking a paper fish to unknowing victims’ backs. While there are many similarities to the April Fool’s Day known in the US, there are unique aspects to the holiday in France and other parts of the French-speaking world. Don’t want to be fooled and become an April fish? Then you better watch your back (literally)!
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Origins of Poisson d’avril
The history of April Fool’s Day in France can be generally traced back to the sixteenth century (though some believe it started even earlier). While the exact origins of the holiday are unclear, one popular theory is that it began with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar by Charles IX around 1564. Prior to the change, New Year’s Day had been celebrated with the spring equinox, often falling at the end of March or on April 1st. News of the change spread slowly, and those who did not realize the change had been made became April fools, or poisson d’avril (April fish).
The connection between fish and April fools
The origin of the fish connection is even less exact. Some believe it’s because the Christian season of Lent is often happening on April 1st, when many Christians give up meat and eat fish instead. Others think it is in relation to actual fishermen who would come back with no fish, leaving their fellow fishermen to hook a dead fish on their backs until they noticed the smell.
In the early 20th century, it was popular to send cards with a fish or other aquatic themes to friends and romantic partners. You can sometimes find these vintage cards at French flea markets, called marchés aux puces.
Where is Poisson d’avril celebrated?
Poisson d’avril is mostly celebrated throughout France, but it’s also celebrated by these French-speaking countries and their neighbors:
- Belgium
- Italy
- parts of Canada
- parts of Switzerland
- United States (French language classes)
Poisson d’avril traditions in France today
While the days of hooking a dead fish to someone’s back are seemingly over, the entire country takes part in fun new pranks each year.
Paper fish pranks
These days, nobody goes around sticking actual stinky dead fish to anyone’s back—they use a paper fish! The French equivalent of a “kick me” sign, the goal is to attach a paper fish to someone’s back without them noticing. This tradition is most popular among children who attempt to stick paper fish on the backs of their friends, parents, and teachers.
French media pranks
While the paper fish is the most common prank on April 1st, France’s media delights in playing pranks on the general public, too. From claiming the Eiffel Tower had been sold to claiming wind turbines were slowing down the Earth’s rotation, the French media never shy away from pranks on the April 1st holiday. It is one of the many things that France is known for.
Poisson d’avril pranks in Paris
In Paris, the RATP (Parisian Transport System) annually pranks its riders by changing the names of metro stations during the night. Some are simple anagrams — Opéra becoming Apéro (happy hour) — while others have historical or cultural meaning. Some are just downright silly, like Parmentier becoming Pomme de terre (potato). In 2024, many were Olympics-themed, such as Nation becoming Natation (swimming). If you are a tourist in Paris on April 1st, don’t be fooled by these fake signs! (The real ones don’t get taken down, so you can still find where you are going.)
Celebrating Poisson d’avril in Quebec
While the tradition of pranking on April Fool’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, Quebec celebrates Poisson d’avril similarly to France. The paper fish tradition is also common (as well as the media pranks), but the Québécois are also known for having fun with their loved ones. Some are said to have faked weddings or funerals or spread rumors around town to see who will believe them. And don’t forget the tarte au sucre — the sugar tart traditionally eaten on April 1st in Quebec!
Useful words and phrases for Poisson d’avril
Whether you want to put a paper fish on someone’s back or pull a different kind of prank, use the following French vocabulary to enhance your Poisson d’avril celebrations:
| French | Pronunciation | English |
| un canular | uhn kah-noo-lar | a hoax (like a joke on TV) |
| une devinette | oon duh-vee-net | a riddle |
| le dos | luh doh | back (body part) |
| je blague | jhuh blog | I’m kidding/joking |
| je t’ai eu | jhuh tay oo | I got you/fooled you |
| un jeu de mots | uhn jhuh duh moh | a pun/play on words |
| Poisson d’avril ! | pwah-sohn dah-vreel | April Fool’s! |
| un poisson en papier | uhn pwah-sohn uhn pah-pee-ay | a paper fish |
| le premier avril | luh pruh-mee-ay ah-vreel | April 1st |
| raconter des histoires | rah-kohn-tay dayz ee-stwar | to make up stories/pull someone’s leg |
| raconter des salades | rah-kohn-tay day sah-lahd | to tell lies (literally to tell salads) |
| rire | reer | to laugh |
| tu blagues | too blog | you’re kidding/joking |
| tu m’as eu | too mah oo | you got me/fooled me |
| une blague | oon blog | a joke |
| une farce | oon farss | a prank/practical joke |
| une histoire drôle | oon ee-stwar drohl | a funny story/joke (verbal) |
Be prepared to celebrate any French holiday with Rosetta Stone
There are many French holidays and cultural traditions to celebrate, all made better when your language skills allow you to fully participate. Rosetta Stone can help you learn French quickly and with ease. The Rosetta Stone app even includes phrasebooks that can help you in your travels and while celebrating different holidays. Take the app with you on all of your French-speaking adventures!
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