Christmas in France

In France, Christmas is the time

of family reunion and generosity,
marked by gifts and sweets for
children, gifts for the poor, the
midnight liturgy and New Year's
Eve.

On Christmas Eve, the children

leave their shoes by the stove so
that Pere Noel can put their
presents in them. The Christmas
tree is decorated at night, so that
on Christmas morning children can
find in addition to gifts a
Christmas tree decorated with
sweets, fruits, nuts and small toys.
 Christmas specific dishes
In France, as in other
French-speaking countries,
the Christmas table can
only be refined. The French
prepare:
-foie gras
-Calendeau bread
-white pudding
-oysters
-smoked salmon
-lobster
-duck
-goose or hazelnut turkey. Foie gras
 White pudding Oysters

Smoked salmon Hazelnut duck

 Lobster Turkey with chestnuts

Peanut gang Foie gras

 Traditional desserts
La Buche de Noel (“Noel's Stump”) - consisting of an elongated
chocolate cake with chestnuts, which reproduces the shape of a burnt
stump between Christmas Eve and the New Year in Périgord,
reminiscent of an ancient pagan ritual.
Le pain Calendeau (“Calendeau Bread”) - Christmas bread
made in the south of France, from which a piece is offered to a poor
person.
La Galette des Rois (“King / Magi Cake”) - a round cake, cut
into pieces that are divided by a child hidden under the table, called
“le petit roi” or “l'enfant soleil” (the little king or the baby sun) .
Whoever finds "beans", the bean hidden in the cake, becomes "king" or
"queen" and can choose a partner.
 La Buche de Noel

Le pain Calendeau Le Gallete des Rois

 In the squares in front of the
cathedrals the story of the birth of
Christ is played by actors or is
retold in improvised puppet
theaters.
The Christmas tree has never been
very popular in France, replacing
the "Yule trunk" tradition. This
custom, dating from the twelfth
century, is very popular in France,
although the authentic trunk has
been replaced by a delicious cake,
called "buche de Noel" (Christmas
Log).

In the past, in every French family, the

"Cake of the Three Magi" was prepared,
which had a bean hidden in it. Whoever
found him became King or Queen for the
whole day of Christmas. Another custom
was for the children to go in search of
the Magi at Christmas, having piles of
hay with them to feed their camels. Strasburg
 In almost every French home, the owners build a Nativity
scene, called a "creche", larger or smaller, which becomes the
center of the Christmas celebration. The characters in this scene
are usually small clay statuettes, called "santons" (little saints).
In addition to the characters in the Bible, there are figurines
representing local authorities or celebrities. This custom is
attested for the first time in the seventeenth century, the care
and talent with which the figurines are made is truly amazing.
In fact, they are put on sale in December, mainly in Marseille
and Aix, during the Christmas fairs.
In the past, on the occasion of Christmas, a freshly
cut tree trunk was brought to every house, which
was praised and sprinkled with oil and wine, with
the whole family rejoicing around it. Today the cake
has replaced the wood, being served at the
Christmas table, called "le reveillon". This meal
takes place on Christmas Eve, at midnight, after the
church service. The menu of this special meal
varies from region to region. In Alsace, the main
dish is served with goose, in Burgundy turkey with
chestnuts, while Parisians prefer seashells and foie
gras pâtés. Poultry, ham, salads, cakes, fruit and
wine are also served.
And in France, Christmas is an opportunity for the whole family to
get together, to enjoy, and last but not least to pray. On Christmas
Eve, churches and cathedrals are brightly lit and decorated, and bells
ring to attract believers. Once dinner is over, the family goes to bed,
not forgetting to leave the fire burning and food and drink on the
table, if the Virgin Mary stops in their house. Children leave their
boots or clogs for Pere Noel or the Child of Christ to fill with gifts.
In northern France, children receive gifts on December 6, St.
Nicholas Day, instead of Christmas. Adults give each other presents
on the last day of the year.
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