Celebrate April Fool's Day at la Madeleine Country French Cafe

La Madeleine Country French Café, a D.C. favorite for French country cuisine and pâtisseries, is celebrating the original French New Year, offering guests a free lemon Madeleine cookie on April Fool’s Day, Wednesday, April 1.

The French New Year dates back to 16th century France when the King moved the country from the Roman to the Gregorian calendar. Prior to this, New Year was celebrated at the end of March. Those who were slow to learn of the new New Year’s date (and many who ignored or protested the change) continued celebrating New Year’s Day on April 1st. These resistors became “the fools” and had jokes played on them. The story goes that one of the first April Fool’s Day pranks was sending a runner to the market to retrieve the “April Fish.” Since fish season ended in March, when the runner returned empty-handed, he became the April fool.

The April fish tradition in France continues today – children and pranksters spend the day trying to stick paper fish to their friends’ backs unnoticed, shouting with glee “Poisson d’Avril” when they succeed. Today you’ll also find fish-shaped chocolates and patisseries all over France in honor of the day.

There is no coupon required or purchase necessary, just a friendly “Bonne Année” or “Happy New Year” wish to any la Madeleine associate or manager.

Participating la Madeleine Country French Cafés while supplies last. (Note: Select franchise and non-traditional airport locations are not participating)

To learn about more events like this, follow la Madeleine on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/laMadeleineCafe or join their eClub at lamadeleine.com.