CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN FRANCE

Christmas Eve. was traditionally the evening when French families sat down together to celebrate Christmas. The meal can go for up to six hours.

Le Réveillon. Was the name of the French Christmas Eve meal. The name comes from the verb réveiller, to wake up or revive.

Increasingly more families are now celebrating on Christmas day. It is easier for the whole family to gather together.

Traditional French Christmas food. It depends on the region but some common French Christmas foods include:

Smoked salmon and oysters with bran bread

goose or duck liver pate

goose, capon or turkey stuffed with chestnuts

To finish the feast you will get the amazing looking and tasting La bûche de Noël (yule log), a sponge cake decorated like a yule log, traditionally made of chocolate and chestnuts.

Les Treize (13) desserts: This is a Provençal French Christmas tradition but worth mentioning as it sounds so ‘challenging’ – can you imagine having 13 desserts after the main (big) Christmas feast? In France they are important as they symbolise Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles at the Last Supper.

French alcohol: Mulled wine is popular in bars and on French Christmas markets, although you won’t see it so much at French homes. During Christmas dinner a very good wine is required and Champagne is imperative.

No Stockings for French Children, instead shoes in front of the fireplace, so that Père Noël can find them and fill them with small presents or treats.

Chants de Noël: There are not many traditional French Christmas carols, and are usually hymns from church instead. That is why many Christmas songs have been taken from the UK, Germany and other countries. Over time, non-religious songs have been translated from different languages into French, for example the French Jingle Bells is Vive le vent.

Christmas Greetings: French people wish each other Joyeux Noël or Bonnes Fêtes. It’s important never to wish anyone a Bonne Année (Happy New Year) before midnight on New Year’s Eve as this brings bad luck.

Marché de Noel: Christmas markets are very popular in France, We visit one in Angers.

Although perhaps not exclusively a French Christmas tradition. There are a not many towns and villages in France where artisans produce, gifts and local culinary delicacies, such as foie gras and confit de canard, are not sold.

The one in La Defence as a fish and chip cabin with authentic mushy pies, which I am reliable informed is brilliant.

Christkindels märik: This is the most famous and oldest Christmas market in France. You can find it in Strasbourg in the Alsace with many traditional French products to buy as gifts.

And finally …Le Père Fouettard:

Père Fouettard. Is French for ‘”Father Whipper”. He is the character that accompanies Saint Nicholas on his rounds during Saint Nicholas Day (6 December) dispensing lumps of coal, or, whipping with a branch the naughty children. Meanwhile, St. Nicholas gives gifts to the well behaved.

Well, I think we all know where I would be: gathering coal! John on the other hand would blessed with gifts from Saint Nicholas.