FRENCH NATIVES is today a celebration?

[Longingforthesummer]

So La Toussaint 1 November is it a national holiday in France?

Yes, it’s a jour férié . Smaller shops and businesses will be closed, artisans (self employed) will often take a day off for family get-togethers. Big shops usually open on these days now, maybe with reduced hours.

traditionally it’s a day to visit the graves of deceased family members and leave flowers.

Not a French native, just live here.

Sounds lovely and very moving if you have someone who has passed. Am I right in saying chrysanthemums are the flower associated with this day?

Yes, the shops are full of large chrysanthemum just about to bloom.

The French look after the graves in the cemeteries. Today they will be full of chrysanthemums in pots.

Yes. Public Holiday in France. Yes, today is the day to visit graves, clean them up and put chrysanthemums or heather on the tombs.

Similar in Poland I believe, plus candles.

Italy too, for All Saints day. People go tidy up graveyards and put flowers out etc. Also quite common to go out for a meal but I think that is just because it's a bank holiday and mushroom/chestnut season.