April Fool's in France

By Sofa Ibrahim



It’s April Fool’s Day, and did you know that in French, it’s called Poisson d’Avril, or "Fish of April"? I first learned about this quirky tradition while studying French, and it’s always stuck with me.

How Did It Get Its Name?

The story behind Poisson d’Avril (April Fish) is a bit fuzzy, but there are some interesting theories about how the tradition came to be. Most of them tie back to ancient customs or the arrival of spring.

One popular explanation goes back to 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, moving the start of the new year from April 1st to January 1st. Not everyone immediately adopted the new calendar, though, so those who did would playfully mock the ones who still celebrated on April 1st by pulling pranks, calling them “April fools.” One of these pranks is believed to have involved taping a fish to the back of someone’s coat, symbolizing someone who was easily fooled or slow to catch on.

Another possibility links the tradition to an ancient Roman festival called Hilaria, held in late March. The festival was all about dressing up in costumes, playing tricks, and celebrating the arrival of spring with a bit of light-hearted mischief. It's easy to see how this spirit of playful deception could have evolved into what we now know as Poisson d'Avril.

Why the Fish?

As for the fish itself, the connection is a little more mysterious. One theory ties it to the Christian tradition of Lent, which often overlaps with April 1st. During Lent, many Christians give up meat and eat fish instead. Another idea suggests it’s related to fishermen who would sometimes return from their trips with an empty catch, only to have their fellow fishermen sneak a dead fish onto their backs. The prank would be revealed when the smell gave them away, turning the fisherman into the unsuspecting poisson d’avril.

In any case, the French embraced the fish imagery. Fish symbolize spring, renewal, and abundance—so it makes sense that they’d use a fish for playful tricks. Today, Poisson d'Avril is just one of the many ways the French—and other cultures—celebrate April 1st with humor and fun.

How Poisson d’Avril Is Celebrated Today

Poisson d’Avril is mainly celebrated throughout France, but it’s also a tradition in French-speaking regions and their neighbors, including:

  • Belgium

  • Italy

  • Parts of Canada

  • Parts of Switzerland

  • United States (mainly in French language classes)

Poisson d’Avril Traditions in France Today

While the days of sticking actual stinky dead fish on someone’s back are long gone, the entire country still takes part in some fun pranks each year.

Paper Fish Pranks

These days, the classic prank is all about the paper fish! It’s 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 especially popular among children, who love sticking paper fish on their friends, parents, and teachers.

French Media Pranks

Even the media gets in on the fun. The French press is known for pulling pranks on the public, from claiming the Eiffel Tower had been sold to saying wind turbines were slowing down the Earth’s rotation. The media really knows how to get in on the April 1st action!

Poisson d’Avril Pranks in Paris

In Paris, the RATP (Parisian transport system) loves to prank commuters by changing the names of metro stations overnight. Some are simple anagrams—like Opéra becoming Apéro (happy hour)—while others have more cultural or historical meanings. And then there are the downright silly ones, like Parmentier turning into Pomme de Terre (potato). In 2024, the prank even had an Olympics theme, with stations like Nation becoming Natation (swimming). If you’re a tourist in Paris on April 1st, don’t be fooled by these fake signs—though the real ones are still up, so you can always find your way.

I hope you enjoyed today’s blog! If you’re traveling in France on this trickster day, I’d love to hear how Poisson d'Avril plays out for you.


Until next time, à bientôt!

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