Christmas in France

The French value their historical background and haven’t budged their unique customs in favor of the modern commercialized perception of Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, people in France customarily attend the Midnight Mass and participate in a long feast with a sophisticated menu known as Réveillon.

Children read a personalized letter from Père Noël and find gifts in their shoes.

Overall, French Christmas traditions are solemn and meaningful.

You likely won’t hear Christmas songs in stores or see exorbitant decorations everywhere like in the USA, but the Christmas spirit is certainly in the air. Joyeux Noël!

Letters from Santa

Every year, children across the globe write letters to Santa – that’s no surprise. Kids share their gift lists and often wish Santa himself a merry Christmas.

However, French children are a bit luckier than others, as they always receive a response.

It’s not like Santa prefers France to any other country, or French kids behave better than American or German. The secret lies in local laws.

In 1962, France established a law stating that every letter sent to Santa Claus must be answered. The reply should be sent in a postcard form.

Typically, letters written to Santa are given to parents, who then write a response (don’t tell French kids about it). Those who fail to reply aren’t fined or sent to jail but can be publicly shunned.

Père Fouettard

In France, Santa Claus is known as Père Noël. As you already know, at Christmas time, French parents have obligations documented in the legislation, which doesn’t sound too festive.

However, they also have one benefit unavailable to Americans or other Europeans.

In France, Santa, or Père Noël, has an evil sidekick – Père Fouettard, translating as “whipping father.” According to the legend, he rides the tailback of Santa’s sleigh, beating naughty children while Santa gives gifts to the good ones.

The legend about Père Fouettard is a powerful tool in keeping children well-behaved. Like Krampus in Germany, he brings an intense fear upon kids and never fails to motivate them to help clean the house or go to sleep early.

French Christmas Foods

Like in most countries, Christmas in France is the time for family gatherings and indulgent feasts.

Traditionally, a French Christmas feast known as Réveillon commences once people return from the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

The word Réveillon is derived from “awakening,” as it lasts until the very morning. The French Christmas menu is sophisticated and truly worth staying awake all night.

What do you imagine when you hear “French food”? Likely oysters, caviar, escargots, and foie gras. These dishes are common in France even on a regular day, but at Christmas, they’re a must on every festive table.

Lobster and crab also often appear on the French Christmas menu. Crepes with smoked salmon and scallops continue the exquisite seafood theme.

Scallops should be alive when they’re purchased to avoid an unpleasant “awakening” in the morning.

Apart from seafood, the French cook a roast turkey with stuffing. However, the stuffing recipe differs from American – instead of herbs and breadcrumbs, French turkey stuffing is made with chestnuts.

Often, turkey is replaced with pheasant, goose, duck, or another type of fowl. The French don’t have any traditions or beliefs related specifically to turkey, so the options are endless.

Perhaps, the most exciting part of the traditional Réveillon feast is the dessert, or desserts, to be precise.

The French serve 13 desserts to represent Jesus and the 12 apostles. Some of the most-favored recipes include traditional cake pompe a l’huile and Bûche de Noël.

Such a fancy menu goes perfectly with champagne – the real type from the Champagne region, not sparkling wine or Prosecco.

Some prefer eggnog or mulled wine – these drinks seem to be a permanent symbol of Christmas regardless of the country.

Nativity Scenes

The first Nativity Scene was set up in the 13th century by Saint Francis of Assisi in a cave near the Italian village of Greccio. Over the centuries, the custom has spread across entire Europe, the USA, and even the Philippines.

France is no exception. Each family is free to choose the Christmas décor they prefer, but the Nativity Scene known as Creche is mandatory. Often, French Creches are very elaborate, featuring not solely Jesus’ manger but entire villages.

Especially notable Creches can be found in Provence, where Christmas markets sell nativity figurines in any size and form imaginable.

Nativity Scenes in France aren’t taken down the morning of December 26, and not even on Epiphany. They remain until February 2, 40 days after Christmas. This day is known as la Chandeleur.

Shoes Instead of Stockings

In many countries, including the USA, children (and, often, adults) hang stockings on the fireplace, hoping that Santa would fill them with presents.

French children observe a similar tradition, but instead of stockings, they leave shoes near the fireplace.

Shoes are typically filled with candies and other treats to please Santa. This practice is similar to that of leaving milk and cookies in America.

The reason French kids prefer to leave out shoes instead of stockings is unknown.

But a famous French Christmas carol Petit Papa Noel, translating as Little Father Christmas, features lines: “Little Father Noël, when you descend from the sky with toys by the thousands, please don’t forget my little shoe.”

Gifts are traditionally opened on December 24, during Réveillon. However, since Réveillon lasts until early morning, some families nowadays leave gift exchange for December 25.

Christmas Markets

Christmas markets are a big deal all over Europe. The first proper Christmas markets appeared in the 14th century in Germany, but earlier mentions of “December markets” date to the mid-13th century in Austria.

The first Christmas market in France was held in 1570 in Strasbourg, though at that time, the town was a part of the Holy Empire. It was called Christkindelsmärik, or the Market of Infant Jesus.

Surprisingly, the tradition was established in France for real only in the 20th century.

For centuries, the French weren’t especially fond of holiday shopping, but today, Christmas markets are held in over 40 towns and visited by nearly 27 million people annually.

French Christmas markets sell holiday foods and drinks, Creche figurines, and handcrafted ornaments. All these items are displayed in cozy wooden chalets decorated with garlands and lights.

Of course, here you can also find a Christmas tree, but only a real one. The French are obsessed with the smell of fresh fir and consider keeping a plastic tree in the basement or garage tacky.

Some of the most notable Christmas markets in France are situated in Selestat, Colmar, Mulhouse, Haguenau, Montbeliard, and Metz. If you ever happen to visit France at Christmas time, consider checking them out.

Bûche de Noël

Bûche de Noël, translating as Christmas log or Yule log, is the most famous French Christmas dessert, also favored in Canada, Switzerland, and Belgium. However, the story of the Yule log stems from a different region.

Initially, the Yule log was an actual tree trunk burned throughout the Yule festival by Norse pagans to ward off evil spirits and celebrate the soon arrival of spring. Over time, Christians adopted the tradition.

People in many countries burn a log throughout the 12 days of Christmas or specifically on December 24 to this day. The French, though, prefer to serve a sponge cake filled with chocolate ganache textured to resemble a log instead.

The custom emerged in the 19th century, but the recipe of a sponge chocolate cake itself is much older. The roulette may be additionally decorated with berries, holly, Christmas-themed marzipan figurines, or sugar powder.

Fete des Rois

Fete des Rois, or the Three Kings’ Day, is the official end of the Christmas season in France. It’s celebrated on January 6 and commemorates the Magi who came to worship Jesus from the east with gifts.

The Three Kings’ Day or Epiphany itself isn’t anything unique – it’s celebrated in the entire Christian world.

In many countries, including France, the traditional Epiphany meal is the King Cake. According to data, over 85% of French celebrate Epiphany with this dessert.

The history of King Cake stems from the 14th century. Interestingly, the custom was brought to the USA by French colonists in the 18th century.

The King Cake is a flake pastry with almond cream and a small baby figurine hidden inside, representing Jesus. Whoever finds the figurine is believed to have a lucky year. Sometimes, the figurine is replaced with a bean or a coin.

In the southern part of France, the King Cake is made with brioche dough and covered with candied fruit and sugar glaze. French bakeries typically decorate the King Cakes with paper or marzipan crowns.

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