Remembrance Day 2026: how to buy a poppy in France

November 11 is a day of remembrance in several countries, and was declared a national holiday in France in 1922. 

It is sometimes referred to as Commémoration de l'armistice (Armistice Day), however a 2012 law means the day is not only a commemoration of World War One but also a day of remembrance for all of France’s war dead (morts pour la France). 

Today, the official title is: journée nationale pour la commémoration de la Victoire et de la paix (National Day of Remembrance for Victory and Peace).

Offices typically close, meaning many workers have a day off, though this is not a legal right.

Shops and supermarkets can remain open on this day, however they may be operating on reduced ‘Sunday hours’. 

Poppies or bleuets?

In France, bleuet (blue cornflowers) are worn on November 11, as poppies are in the UK.

Since Brexit, it is no longer possible to order a poppy online from the Royal British Legion (RBL) in the UK and have it sent to France.

You can buy a poppy from local branches in Brittany (based in Pontivy), Bordeaux, Lyon, Nord Pas-de-Calais (based in Martinpuich), Normandy, Paris, Provence Monaco (formerly the Nice branch) and Somme (based in Mailly-Maillet). 

Some branches, such as Provence Monaco, offer a mail order service delivering poppies, wreaths, and Remembrance crosses to anywhere in France.

The Normandy branch has collection boxes and poppies at the following venues: SC Mécanique, Saint-Clément-Rancoudray; L'Abbaye Restaurant, Le Neufbourg; Jug & Jazz, Ger; Communion Bar, Ger; Fosse D'Artur, Ger; Molly & Vals Plantes, Torchamp; Julie Walker French Teacher, Sourdeval.

Three further addresses are listed just over the border of Lower Normandy, in Pays de la Loire: The Red Lion, Désertines; L'Imprevu Bar, Ambrières-les-Vallées; Elliott's Butchers, Gorron.

People can also contact the Poppy Appeal organiser for Normandy, Laura Cheesewright, at lauracheesewrightrbl@gmail.com. 

“In most villages where Britons live, there is usually somebody who is actually carrying the poppies,” Nick Shacklock, Chair of the RBL Normandy Branch told The Connexion.

Poppies are also often available at British pubs or British churches around France.

You can also find a list of venues offering poppies in Paris on this Facebook post:

Alternatively, contact your nearest RBL branch for information on where they are being sold.

Commemorative events

While some other countries such as the UK hold a national two-minute silence at 11:00 on November 11 – the exact time the armistice came into effect – this is unusual in France.

On the morning of November 11, a televised commemorative event takes place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The event is streamed via the Élysée YouTube channel. Details surrounding this year’s ceremony are yet to be announced. 

A series of smaller commemorative events are also held at memorial sites across France to mark Armistice Day.

For example, the Somme branch of the RBL in France will hold its annual Remembrance Service at the Thiepval Memorial beginning at 10:40. It is a non ticketed public event, however you can contact somme.secretary@rbl.community if you plan on attending. Note that no seating is provided.

Veterans Day ceremonies are held at the American Battle Monuments Commission cemeteries in France, including at Flanders Field American Cemetery (11:00), Normandy American Cemetery (10:00) and Rhone American Cemetery (8:30). All ceremonies are free and open to the public.

Some events alternatively take place on Remembrance Sunday, which falls on November 8 this year.

A Remembrance Day Service is being held on November 8 at the British Normandy Memorial at 10:30. It is recommended to arrive at least 15 minutes before the event as it is a 10-minute brisk walk from the car park. Tea, coffee and sandwiches will be available and poppies, wreaths, posies and crosses are available on site.

“We normally see over 100 Britons turning up at the event. This year, a bagpiper, a bugler and representatives from the embassy will be there too,” said Mr Shacklock.

“Most French-organised events on November 11 are secular so you don’t see any priests, whereas three priests will be present at the British Normandy Memorial,” he added.

Optional registration is available on the British Normandy Memorial Facebook page.  

You can check online or at your local mairie to see if a service is being held near you.