French Christmas: Noel in France
Now that Christmas is finally upon us, do you know about these Christmas traditions in France?
- In some regions of France the Christmas season starts on December 6th, St. Nicholas Day, and is celebrated by exchanging gifts in memory of the historical 4th century saint renowned for his generosity.
- Most French people celebrate Christmas on December 24th with a huge meal eaten after midnight mass called le réveillon, which may include: goose, turkey, chestnuts, paté de foie gras (goose liver pâté), boudin rouge (blood sausage), or boudin blanc, oysters, and of course for dessert the bûche de Noël, a rich, creamy sponge-like cake in the shape of a Yule log.
- Tradition has it that on Christmas Eve in France, children would leave their shoes out (not stockings!) in front of the fireplace for le Père Noël to fill with treats and toys. In some regions, especially eastern France, le Père Fouettard (the “Whipping Father”) would come if children had been naughty, not nice.
- In the south of France, people in the countryside may leave a Yule log burning in their fireplaces during the Christmas season to ensure a good harvest.
- In Provence, the traditional meal ends with a parade of les treize desserts—the 13 desserts!
- Most people in France do not decorate the outside of their homes; municipalities, on the other hand, adorn the public spaces with holiday lights and organize reenactments of the nativity story in town squares.
- French families may set out a crèche, or nativity scene; in the south of France this includes santons (little saints) which are clay figurines depicting not only the holy family, shepherds and wise men, but the townspeople as well.
- Christmas markets are another holiday tradition in France, especially in the Alsace region, where you can buy all sorts of special foods as well as arts and crafts typical for the season.
- At Christmastime you will hear traditional carols, both religious and non-religious, such as: Il est né le divin enfant, Un flambleau Jeannette Isabelle, Vive le vent (Jingle Bells) and Mon beau sapin (Oh Christmas Tree). They even have a version of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Le petit renne au nez rouge…). And of course Petit papa noël sung by Tino Rossi is a Christmas favorite.
- The Christmas season ends in early January with the feast of the Epiphany and the Fête des Rois (Feast of the Magi).
Joyeuses fêtes à tous!
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