Beware the ‘Saints de Glace’

Named after the frosty trio of saints, St Mamert, St Pancrace, and St Servais, whose Saint days are respectively May 10th, 11th, and 12^th, the expression ‘Saints de Glace’ describes a sudden return of night frosts and temporary freezing weather in late spring, which can catch us all unawares, just when we think that summer is on its way!

This is a period of time much feared by gardeners, farmers and vignerons, particularly north of the Loire, but even in the south of France, until mid-May, the locals will shake their heads, and click their tongues if they see you planting your pansies (pensées) and  primroses (paquets)  before these dates

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