French Revolutionary Calendar

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French Revolutionary Calendar

The French Revolutionary Calendar, created at the same time as the metric system, was an attempt to create a metric calendar and time system. Despite its revolutionary nature, however, it anchored itself in French rural life and attempted to relate to what was happening in agriculture in France at that time of the year.

The calendar was the official calendar in France for 12 years, from 24 October 1793 until it was abolished 1 January 1806 by Napoléon. It was revived briefly in 1871 during the Paris Commune.

The calendar even did away with the birth of Jesus Christ as year 0. Instead, year 1 was assumed to date from 22 September 1792, when the first French Republic was proclaimed. The New Year in the calendar started on the autumn equinox (22nd or 23rd of September, depending on the year.)

The calendar year still had 12 months, but each month was divided into 3 weeks (called "décades".) Each week had 10 days.

The accompanying attempt at metric time gave each day 10 hours, each hour 100 "decimal" minutes and each minute 100 "decimal" seconds. The time part of it though was officially abandoned in 1795.

The calendar was designed by Charles Gilbert Romme, a politician. Fabre d'Églantine came up with the names of the months used. They were completely made-up words, inspired by Latin and Greek words for the most part, perhaps meant to inspire by reminding people of Roman and Greek republics in the past. The names of the months were meant to reflect what would be happening agriculturally at that time of year in France.


Days of the Week
New names were invented for the ten days of the week, making a complete break with the past by getting rid of the older names based on religion or superstition. The names were also logical, strictly reflecting their place in the week.

  1. primidi
  2. duodi
  3. tridi
  4. quartidi
  5. quintidi
  6. sextidi
  7. septidi
  8. octidi
  9. nonidi
  10. décadi



Months of the Year

Name of Month
TranslationMonth starting date
in Gregorian Calendar

Vendémiaire
vintage (from the Latin word vindemia)22, 23 or 24 September
Brumaire
mist (from the French word brume)22, 23 or 24 October
Frimaire
frost (from the French word frimas)21, 22 or 23 November
Nivôse
snow (from the Latin word nivosus)21, 22 or 23 December
Pluviôse
rain (from the Latin word pluviosus)20, 21 or 22 January
Ventôse
wind (from the Latin word ventosus)19, 20 or 21 February
Germinal
seed (from the Latin word germen)20 or 21 March
Floréal
blossom (from the Latin word flos)20 or 21 April
Prairial
meadow (from the French word prairie)20 or 21 May
Messidor
harvest (from the Latin word messis)19 or 20 June
Thermidor
heat (from the Greek word thermos)19 or 20 July
Fructidor
fruits (from the Latin word fructus)18 or 19 August



Celebration Days

In the Gregorian calendar, the Catholic Church had assigned a saint to each day of the year that were called "feast days." To set up a new secular tradition, the days in a French Revolutionary Calendar month were instead designated to celebrate something from rural life.

Days that ended in 0 (10, 20, 30) were assigned to an agricultural implement. Days ending in a 5 (5, 15, 25) were assigned to an animal. All other days were assigned to a plant, or a mineral.


Pluviôse
(starting 20, 21 or 22 January)		Ventôse
(starting 19, 20 or 21 February)		Germinal
(starting 20 or 21 March)


Lauréole (Spurge-laurel)
Mousse (Moss)
Fragon (Butcher's Broom)
Perce-neige (Snowdrop)
Taureau (Bull)
Laurier-thym (Laurustinus)
Amadouvier (Tinder polypore)
Mézéréon (Daphne mezereum)
Peuplier (Poplar Tree)
Coignée (Axe)
Ellébore (Hellebore)
Brocoli (Broccoli)
Laurier (Laurel)
Avelinier (Hazelnut tree)
Vache (Cow)
Buis (Box Tree)
Lichen (Lichen)
If (Yew tree)
Pulmonaire (Lungwort)
Serpette (Billhook)
Thlaspi (Pennycress)
Thimelé (Rose Daphne)
Chiendent (Couch Grass)
Trainasse (Knotweed)
Lièvre (Hare)
Guède (Woad)
Noisetier (Hazel)
Cyclamen (Cyclamen)
Chélidoine (Celandine)
Traîneau (Sleigh)
  1. Tussilage (Coltsfoot)
  2. Cornouiller (Dogwood)
  3. Violier (Matthiola)
  4. Troène (Privet)
  5. Bouc (Billygoat)
  6. Asaret (Wild Ginger)
  7. Alaterne (Buckthorn)
  8. Violette (Violet)
  9. Marceau (Goat Willow)
  10. Bêche (Spade)
  11. Narcisse (Narcissus)
  12. Orme (Elm Tree)
  13. Fumeterre (Common fumitory)
  14. Vélar (Hedge Mustard)
  15. Chèvre (Goat)
  16. Épinard (Spinach)
  17. Doronic (Large-flowered Leopard's Bane)
  18. Mouron (Pimpernel)
  19. Cerfeuil (Chervil)
  20. Cordeau (Twine)
  21. Mandragore (Mandrake)
  22. Persil (Parsley)
  23. Cochléaria (Scurvy-grass)
  24. Pâquerette (Daisy)
  25. Thon (Tuna)
  26. Pissenlit (Dandelion)
  27. Sylve (Forest)
  28. Capillaire (Maidenhair fern)
  29. Frêne (Ash Tree)
  30. Plantoir (Dibble)


Primevère (Primrose)
Platane (Plane Tree)
Asperge (Asparagus)
Tulipe (Tulip)
Poule (Hen)
Bette (Chard Plant)
Bouleau (Birch Tree)
Jonquille (Daffodil)
Aulne (Alder)
Couvoir (Hatchery)
Pervenche (Periwinkle)
Charme (Ironwood)
Morille (Morel)
Hêtre (Beech Tree)
Abeille (Bee)
Laitue (Lettuce)
Mélèze (Larch)
Ciguë (Hemlock)
Radis (Radish)
Ruche (Hive)
Gainier (Judas tree)
Romaine (Lettuce)
Marronnier (Chestnut Oak)
Roquette (Rocket)
Pigeon (Pigeon)
Lilas (Lilac)
Anémone (Anemone)
Pensée (Pansy)
Myrtille (Blueberry)
Greffoir (Knife)

Floréal
(starting 20 or 21 April)		Prairial
(starting 20 or 21 May)		Messidor
(starting 19 or 20 June)


Rose (Rose)
Chêne (Oak Tree)
Fougère (Fern)
Aubépine (Hawthorn)
Rossignol (Nightingale)
Ancolie (Columbine)
Muguet (Lily of the Valley)
Champignon (Mushroom)
Hyacinthe (Hyacinth)
Râteau (Rake)
Rhubarbe (Rhubarb)
Sainfoin (Sainfoin)
Bâton-d'or (Wallflower)
Chamérops (Palm tree)
Ver à soie (Silkworm)
Consoude (Comfrey)
Pimprenelle (Salad Burnet)
Corbeille d'or (Basket of Gold)
Arroche (Orache)
Sarcloir (Garden hoe)
Statice (Sea Lavender)
Fritillaire (Fritillary)
Bourrache (Borage)
Valériane (Valerian)
Carpe (Carp)
Fusain (Spindle shrub)
Civette (Chive)
Buglosse (Bugloss)
Sénevé (Wild mustard)
Houlette (Shepherd's crook)

Luzerne (Alfalfa)
Hémérocalle (Daylily)
Trèfle (Clover)
Angélique (Angelica)
Canard (Duck)
Mélisse (Lemon Balm)
Fromental (Oat grass)
Martagon (Martagon lily)
Serpolet (Thyme plant)
Faux (Scythe)
Fraise (Strawberry)
Bétoine (Woundwort)
Pois (Pea)
Acacia (Acacia)
Caille (Quail)
Oeillet (Carnation)
Sureau (Elder Tree)
Pavot (Poppy plant)
Tilleul (Linden tree)
Fourche (Pitchfork)
Barbeau (Cornflower)
Camomille (Camomile)
Chèvrefeuille (Honeysuckle)
caille-lait (Bedstraw)
Tanche (Tench)
Jasmin (Jasmine Plant)
Verveine (Verbena)
Thym (Thyme Plant)
Pivoine (Peony Plant)
Chariot (Hand Cart)

Seigle (Rye)
Avoine (Oats)
Oignon (Onion)
Véronique (Speedwell)
Mulet (Mule)
Romarin (Rosemary)
Concombre (Cucumber)
Echalote (Shallot)
Absinthe (Wormwood)
Faucille (Sickle)
Coriandre (Coriander)
Artichaut (Artichoke)
Girofle (Clove)
Lavande (Lavender)
Chamois (Chamois)
Tabac (Tobacco)
Groseille (Currant)
Gesse (Hairy Vetchling)
Cerise (Cherry)
Parc (Park)
Menthe (Mint)
Cumin (Cumin)
Haricot (Bean)
Orcanète (Alkanet)
Pintade (Guinea fowl)
Sauge (Sage Plant)
Ail (Garlic)
Vesce (Tare)
Blé (Wheat)
Chalémie (Shawm)

Thermidor
(starting 19 or 20 July)		Fructidor
(starting 18 or 19 August)		Vendémiaire
(starting 22, 23 or 24 September)


Epeautre (Einkorn Wheat)
Bouillon blanc (Common Mullein)
Melon (Honeydew Melon)
Ivraie (Ryegrass)
Bélier (Ram)
Prêle (Horsetail)
Armoise (Mugwort)
Carthame (Safflower)
Mûre (Blackberry)
Arrosoir (Watering Can)
Panis (Panic grass)
Salicorne (Common Glasswort)
Abricot (Apricot)
Basilic (Basil)
Brebis (Ewe)
Guimauve (Marshmallow root)
Lin (Flax)
Amande (Almond)
Gentiane (Gentian)
Ecluse (Lock)
Carline (Carline thistle)
Câprier (Caper)
Lentille (Lentil)
Aunée (Yellow starwort)
Loutre (Otter)
Myrte (Myrtle)
Colza (Rapeseed)
Lupin (Lupin)
Coton (Cotton)
Moulin (Mill)

Prune (Plum)
Millet (Millet)
Lycoperdon (Puffball)
Escourgeon (Six-row Barley)
Saumon (Salmon)
Tubéreuse (Tuberose)
Sucrion (Sugar melon)
Apocyn (Apocynum)
Réglisse (Liquorice)
Echelle (Ladder)
Pastèque (Watermelon)
Fenouil (Fennel)
Epine vinette (Barberry)
Noix (Walnut)
Truite (Trout)
Citron (Lemon)
Cardère (Teasel)
Nerprun (Buckthorn)
Tagette (Mexican Marigold)
Hotte (Sack)
Eglantine (Wild Rose)
Noisette (Hazelnut)
Houblon (Hops)
Sorgho (Sorghum)
Ecrevisse (Crayfish)
Bigarade (Bitter Orange)
Verge d'or (Goldenrod)
Maïs (Maize)
Marron (Chestnut)
Panier (Basket)

Raisin (Grape)
Safran (Saffron)
Châtaigne (Chestnut)
Colchique (Crocus)
Cheval (Horse)
Balsamine (Impatiens)
Carotte (Carrot)
Amarante (Amaranth)
Panais (Parsnip)
Cuve (Barrel)
Pomme de terre (Potato)
Immortelle (Strawflower)
Potiron (Pumpkin)
Réséda (Mignonette)
Âne (Donkey)
Belle de nuit (The four o'clock flower)
Citrouille (Pumpkin)
Sarrasin (Buckwheat)
Tournesol (Sunflower)
Pressoir (Wine-Press)
Chanvre (Hemp)
Pêche (Peach)
Navet (Turnip)
Amaryllis (Amaryllis)
Boeuf (Cow)
Aubergine (Eggplant)
Piment (Chile Pepper)
Tomate (Tomato)
Orge (Barley)
Tonneau (Barrel)

Brumaire
(starting 22, 23 or 24 October)		Frimaire
(starting 21, 22 or 23 November)		Nivôse
(starting 21, 22 or 23 December)

  1. Pomme (Apple)
  2. Céleri (Celery)
  3. Poire (Pear)
  4. Betterave (Beet root)
  5. Oie (Goose)
  6. Héliotrope (Heliotrope)
  7. Figue (Fig)
  8. Scorsonère (Black Salsify)
  9. Alisier (Chequer Tree)
  10. Charrue (Plough)
  11. Salsifis (Salsify)
  12. Macre (Water chestnut)
  13. Topinambour (Jerusalem Artichoke)
  14. Endive (Endive)
  15. Dindon (Turkey)
  16. Chervis (Skirret)
  17. Cresson (Watercress)
  18. Dentelaire (Leadworts)
  19. Grenade (Pomegranate)
  20. Herse (Harrow)
  21. Bacchante (Baccharis halimifolia) ‡
  22. Azerole (Acerola)
  23. Garance (Madder)
  24. Orange (Orange)
  25. Faisan (Pheasant)
  26. Pistache (Pistachio)
  27. Macjonc (Tuberous pea)
  28. Coing (Quince)
  29. Cormier (Service tree)
  30. Rouleau (Roller)

  1. Raiponce (Rampion)
  2. Turneps (Turnip)
  3. Chicorée (Chicory)
  4. Nèfle (Medlar)
  5. Cochon (Pig)
  6. Mâche (Corn Salad)
  7. Chou-fleur (Cauliflower)
  8. Miel (Honey)
  9. Genièvre (Juniper)
  10. Pioche (Pick)
  11. Cire (Wax)
  12. Raifort (Horseradish)
  13. Cèdre (Cedar tree)
  14. Sapin (Fir tree)
  15. Chevreuil (Roe Deer)
  16. Ajonc (Gorse)
  17. Cyprès (Cypress Tree)
  18. Lierre (Ivy)
  19. Sabine (Juniper)
  20. Hoyau (Grub-hoe)
  21. Erable sucré (Maple Tree)
  22. Bruyère (Heather)
  23. Roseau (Reed plant)
  24. Oseille (Sorrel)
  25. Grillon (Cricket)
  26. Pignon (Pinenut)
  27. Liège (Cork)
  28. Truffe (Truffle)
  29. Olive (Olive)
  30. Pelle (Shovel)

  1. Tourbe (Peat)
  2. Houille (Coal)
  3. Bitume (Bitumen)
  4. Soufre (Sulphur)
  5. Chien (Dog)
  6. Lave (Lava)
  7. Terre végétale (Topsoil)
  8. Fumier (Manure)
  9. Salpêtre (Saltpeter)
  10. Fléau (Flail)
  11. Granit (Granite stone)
  12. Argile (Clay)
  13. Ardoise (Slate)
  14. Grès (Sandstone)
  15. Lapin (Rabbit)
  16. Silex (Flint)
  17. Marne (Marl)
  18. Pierre à chaux (Limestone)
  19. Marbre (Marble)
  20. Van (Winnowing basket)
  21. Pierre à plâtre (Gypsum)
  22. Sel (Salt)
  23. Fer (Iron)
  24. Cuivre (Copper)
  25. Chat (Cat)
  26. Étain (Tin)
  27. Plomb (Lead)
  28. Zinc (Zinc)
  29. Mercure (Mercury)
  30. Crible (Sieve)

‡ Baccharis halimifolia, aka "seneçon en arbre" in French, aka "Groundseltree" in English. Planted as a windbreak.



Year-End Holidays
The 12 months of 30 days (360 days) left 5 spare days at the end of each year (6 in leap years.) Bear in mind that the year end in this calendar was the month of Fructidor, running from the third week of August to the third week of September. These spare days were called "les sans-culottides" at first (in honour of the "sans-culottes"), but then late in 1795 they became known as "les jours complémentaires." They were designated as days of national holiday.


Gregorian Calendar
Virtue Day ("La Fête de la Vertu")17 or 18 September
Talent Day ("La Fête du Génie")18 or 19 September
Labour Day ("La Fête du Travail")19 or 20 September
Opinion Day ("La Fête de l'Opinion")20 or 21 September
Rewards Day ("La Fête des Récompenses")21 or 22 September
Revolution Day ("La Fête de la Révolution".) Leap years only.22 or 23 September

The French Revolutionary Calendar was never popular for several reasons. The variation in the autumn equinox, which determined its start, made it complicated to plot. That was a minor detail though compared to what it did to people's work weeks. Previously, people had 1 day in 7 off as a day of rest. The new calendar only gave them 1 day in 10, and the bonus 5 holidays at the end weren't enough to compensate for it.


Language Notes about French Revolutionary Calendar

In rural Greece, months are also given nicknames that reflect the activities that month. July is often called "Alonari" or "Alonisti", from the Greek word for threshing; Alonari is also a 10 day festival in July.

Also called:
Calendrier Républicain (French)
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