Convert date to french format in PHP without using locals

date_to_french_format.php

<?php
	function to_french_format($date){
		$date = date("l d/m/Y h:i", strtotime($date));

		$date_components = split(' ',$date);	
		$french_days = array(
			'Saturday'=>'Samedi',
			'Sundy'=>'Dimanche',
			'Monday'=>'Lundi',
			'Tuesday'=>'Mardi',
			'Wednesday'=>'Mercredi',
			'Thursday'=>'Jeudi',
			'Thursday'=>'Jeudi'
		);

		$key = $date_components[0];
		if(array_key_exists($key, $french_days)){			
			$date = str_replace($key,$french_days[$key],$date);
		}	
		return $date;
	}
	
	$originalDate = '2016-03-01 10:20:30';
	echo to_french_format($originalDate);
	
	?>