French Christmas Traditions. << Related Post: French Themed Christmas Food and Wine Gifts >> That pretty much ends the long list of French Christmas traditions, but that doesn’t mean the Season’s festivities are over.. Nevertheless, it is still not a tradition as important as it is in other countries such as England. The Réveillon dinner can continue for up to six hours in some families and it is a very sacred tradition to the French. Guide children through this detailed, interactive 'Celebrating Christmas in France' KS2 PowerPoint to broaden children's understanding of religious festivals in different countries. It’s not Quite Over Yet!! This is apparent in the structure of the market stalls. Inside there is a little note written on it. 5 French Christmas traditions _____ Continue the celebrations into January! As we said, one of the oldest in Europe. Wait! Generosity is a big part of the French Christmas tradition. Christmas in France is every Francophile’s dream. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. If you're new here, you may be interested in downloading the guide "20 Amazing Offbeat Places in Paris". The Christmas lights at the Champs-Elysées, The Nativity Scenes inside the churches of Paris, ? ? Kaysersberg is also one of our favourite spots in Alsace. Traditionally cards are sent to celebrate the New Year. Well, the festive season consists of many favourite customs such as the Christmas tree, the chocolate bûche, the Père Noël and the great Christmas Eve dinner. Here are twelve to follow. Le Réveillon is what the French call the meal they eat on Christmas Eve. In Alsace and Burgundy, a roasted stuffed turkey/capon with potatoes is more common. Like in any places celebrating Christmas, the French Père Noël wears: His big brown sack is packed full of toys. The legend goes that when Jesus and his family fled Egypt, the soldiers of Herod where about to catch them. Christmas Eve is the most special time in the French celebration of Christmas. It contains 340+ photos, 256 pages and covers 16 destinations. However not everyone will be joining the church on that night. laprofdefrancais IRP- Individual Research Project- French A Level- The complete guide and Digital Workbook That is why many Christmas songs have been taken from UK, Germany and other places. The other date which is very important in French tradition is Epiphany, on January 6th, when the kings are said to have come to visit Jesus with gifts. There are three versions of this cake and the most popular consists of flaky puff pastry layers with a center of frangipane or apple. The Réveillon is the big dinner French people share with their family on 24 December. You can of course change your mind and withdraw your consent at any time, by returning to this site after clearing the cookies on your computer or device. Welcome back to the French Moments blog! The French Christmas Traditions start with Advent Advent calendars – les calendriers de l’Avent. The figurines are called santons and they include:- French people take a great deal of care when creating decorations for the Christmas Eve dinner. The 6 January is a day to celebrate the arrival of the Three Kings. See more ideas about french christmas, french christmas traditions, christmas food. On Christmas Eve, French children used to fill their shoes with carrots and treats for Père Noël’s donkey and leave them by the fireplace. They will be delivered to every household at midnight, using his sleigh pulled by reindeers. On Christmas morning, children run to the Christmas tree to see what Santa has left under it for them. The character gradually evolved into Santa Claus. The tree, covered in red apples and lights, symbolised the venue of Christ. He would stop at each and every house. I enjoy Montmartre by night when the streets are deserted. Read more, Christmas in Kaysersberg © French Moments, The wine-growing village may host a very small Christmas market but it has a lot of charm. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, in France and beyond. Read more, The Obernai Christmas Market © French Moments. You’ll find around one hundred articles about French culture and traditions in this section of our French blog. Expatica helps make your expat journey the experience you've always wanted. The meal can go for up to six hours. They are also symbolic of the gifts offered by the three wise men to Jesus on 6 January (at, The Gospel of Luke recounts the story of the, Christmas’ Eve in France – le Réveillon de Noël, Parisians usually have seafood and oysters with bran bread and butter, caviar, foie gras (goose liver pate) with currant jam and the famous Christmas Yule log (a, The French traditions of Christmas: the Midnight Mass, Each region of France has its own Christmas songs. North of Nancy, the Lorraine city of Metz has become a Christmas hotspot thanks to its brilliant Christmas market. Here are some facts about Christmas in France. In this post we’ll be covering many of the top French traditions of Christmas, including: I’ve just released my new eBook: Christmas in Alsace – a Photographic Journey. Les Treize is a Provençal French Christmas tradition, but is still worth mentioning as it involves eating 13 desserts after the main Christmas feast. French Christmas traditions often highlight France's deep-rooted Catholicism. From a special meal on Christmas Eve, to the exchange of gifts, traditions vary across different regions of France and among different families. The French give food to the poor (the aforementioned Pain Calendeau can never be eaten without sharing it with somebody who's down on his or her luck), and lots of presents to their children and to each other. If you’re looking to pull out all the stops for a French Christmas dinner, … Like in many European countries, Advent Calendars herald the coming of the French Christmas season. ? When you are learning French, it’s also important that you understand the French culture. ? Let’s see some generic French Christmas vocabulary: Le Réveillon de … Sadly, crackers have never become part of French Christmas traditions. My two favourites are the Place d’Armes (and its ferries wheel) and the medieval Place Saint-Louis. Typical desserts include fruits, nuts and sweets such as dried figs, hazelnuts or walnuts, almonds and dried grapes or a cake called Pompe à l’huile. Shoes for gifts: French children will leave their shoes by the fireplace or by the door for Père Noel to fill with gifts. While in France, English and German carols have been adapted into French : ? The holly (, Exchanging vows: les vœux de la nouvelle année. The food and the festive atmosphere are fun for the whole family. Check out our article on the French traditions of Christmas on our French blog! Get ready ! French children put their shoes near the fireplace so that Père Noël can find them and fill them with small presents or treats. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Colourful wrapping paper and the tradition of buying more expensive gifts developed in line with an increase in American influence at the conclusion of the Second World War. Read more about the French traditions of Christmas in Paris. french christmas traditions < > Most recent. Thank you for the post. Christmas is all about enjoying your favourite traditions, and everyone’s are a little different. During the banning of street nativities throughout the period of the French revolutions (closing of churches and suppression of the midnight mass), French households started reproducing the scene in their own house in miniature versions with clay figurines. Follow me on this cultural journey and find out more about the Holiday season in France! Thank you for your support! It is also hung above the door, on beams and luminaries during the Christmas period. With festivities stretching over a couple of weeks, you’re in for a great time if you’re planning on spending your Christmas season in France. In French, the … An old tradition is that the log was carried into the home on Christmas Eve and sprinkled with red wine to make the log smell nice when it was burning. Find out how they celebrate in France! L5 + L6 À Moi Paris Method - Upper Intermediate 4.97 (72 reviews) US$ 119.99 US$ 95.99. On 1 December children open their first ‘window/door’ in the Advent calendar. If you’ve heard about French people eating long and slowly, this dinner is the greatest example of this French custom. And particularly too commercial-oriented if I may say so! French Christmas traditions often highlight France's deep-rooted Catholicism. This is not just for getting ideas of presents. I’ve found another beautiful spot, by the Debilly footbridge. Obviously the largest of all Christmas markets in France. ? Alongside the calendar is the decorated wreath. Some places in France perform a street procession of the Three Kings for children to watch. One of my favourite places to be at Christmas time! ? Many Christmas traditions have been secularized: Santa Claus, Christmas trees, presents… Yet for more than a thousand years, the 25th of December has been first and foremost about Christian tradition. I love strolling by the banks of the River Seine at night time for all the lights and monuments to see. Villagers played the characters. A fir tree is the best choice because they do not lose their leaves during winter, which doubles as a symbol of hope and eternal life. The royal square of Place Stanislas is adorned with a giant Christmas tree. 5. French Culture and Traditions. The culinary highlight of the French year is not for most families on Christmas Day, but late on Christmas Eve, and traditionally begins once folks have returned from midnight mass. ? Christmas markets are very popular in France, although perhaps not exclusively a French Christmas tradition. On Christmas Day, food is still a very important part of the day, particularly at lunch time when it is common to eat a particularly special dish, such as rabbit, coq au vin, vol-au-vent (bouchées à la reine), etc. I find them not as authentic as in Alsace. From songs, to Santa, let’s look at what it means to celebrate the holiday season in France. Let’s start with the holidays. There is a custom that the log and candles are left burning all night with some food and drinks left out in case Mary and the baby Jesus come past during the night. Pine cones (painted gold), walnuts and holly are also widely accepted symbols of Christmas. The religious service usually starts either at the stroke of midnight or a few hours before in all the cathedrals and parish churches all over France. NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using. What a beautiful atmosphere! I love strolling from Place Broglié to the Petite France district via the Cathedral square. ? Some French families exchange their gifts on January 6th, the Feast of Kings, or the Feast of Epiphany, the twelfth day of Christmas. Main cities of France would decorate their streets with repetitive and plain Christmas decorations. Everyone knows that Christmas carols and other holiday hymns are the best part of the holiday season. Nativity Scene of the church of Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois © French Moments. Christmas is a time for celebration and thus the French indulge in luxury food and delicatessen. This is very informative information describe in the post. The flower symbolises the Star of Bethlehem while the red colour represents the blood sacrifice of Jesus at the crucifixion. Ask. Apart from Paris, the City of Lights, one has to get to the North-East of France to discover the lights of Christmas, The “lumières de Noël” are inextricably related to the Christmas markets of Alsace and Lorraine. Either viewed from the Trocadéro or the Champ de Mars. Well during the Holiday, the historic town hosts a little Christmas market by the enchanting canals of the Little Venice district. Saint Nicolas is celebrated in the Flanders, Lorraine and Alsace, as well as in Austria, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. The Noëlies – Christmas concerts in Saverne, Alsace © French Moments. They are numerous examples of places to see Christmas lights in Alsace and Lorraine. Read more, Christmas in Alsace (Colmar) © French Moments, The Place de la Réunion hosts an enchanting Christmas market and a ferris wheel. This blog is run by Pierre Guernier for French Moments Ltd, a company founded by Pierre and Rachel Guernier and based in the beautiful countryside of East Sussex, England. It is actually an important Christmas tradition in France for many people who try to attend the mass, although more and more people prefer services on Christmas Day. These are the nativity scenes or crèches displayed in many French homes. At the Ecomusée d’Alsace © French Moments, ? ? A church service is held on Christmas Eve. Another French Christmas tradition is held on the evenings preceding Christmas Day and New Year’s Day to have a réveillon. The four weeks before Christmas are dedicated to preparations for Christmas. The Christmas tree – le Sapin de Noël. This is particularly true in Provence. The French represent him covered in coal marks and dressed all in black. But wait for the night to fall and the magic begins! The town of Montbéliard lies in the Franche-Comté region but is very close to Alsace. Christmas Table in Alsace © OT Strasbourg – Aurélie Cottier. Christmas Tree – usually a fir tree of some kind. Christmas on the Champs-Élysées © French Moments. Christmas lights in Obernai © French Moments. It is traditionally knotted with beautiful red bows and decorated with pine or fir cones. Families get together in prayer and carol singing in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ which tradition believed to have occurred at night. The French Moments Christmas Gift Guide is out! It’s Christmas time! Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. We really enjoy the French Christmas traditions, which is why we’ve spent so many holiday seasons in France. Unsurprisingly he gave his name to the flower! The picturesque old town of Obernai specialises in a gastronomic Christmas market. Five different venues made up the Christmas market. Read more about New Year’s Eve in France. So where does Santa put the gifts? A Christmas tree in the streets of Annecy © French Moments. Text. The town of Sélestat is located in central Alsace, between Strasbourg and Colmar. I think Nancy would have to be the most elegant place in the north-east of France to spend Christmas. Traditionally, it it the youngest in the family who distributes the pieces of cake hiding below the table and shouting the name of the person who should get each piece. This tradition is most popular in the region of Provence. Read more about the French traditions of Christmas tree and Christmas decoration. Réveillon vs Christmas Day. One of the most authentic Christmas markets in France! But more recently some would say there has unfortunately been a large amount of commercialisation of the idea of Christmas markets. Illuminations, decorations, fir trees and delicious treats: this is a compilation of things I loved and experienced while visiting Alsace in December. Christmas in France: Facts About French Christmas Traditions. Christmas in France, called Noël, is no exception, boasting many age-old traditions. Tweet. He was originally the person distributing presents to German and French children on 6 December. From the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, hundreds of thousands LEDs illuminate the prestigious avenue. Santa’s ride in Strasbourg © French Moments. The nativity scene. It was to bring good fortune throughout the coming year. These days it’s rare to have an open fire, but some living in rural communities still bring a chosen log inside and sprinkle it with a little red wine to scent the house with a festive aroma as it burns. In fact, he has given way to other characters, such as elves and reindeer. 11. If you want to hear more about French Christmas traditions, or just France in general, then be sure to book your free guided walking tour if you’ll be spending time in the city of Paris. Indeed the proximity of the region to Germany gives Alsatian and French Christmas markets a distinctly Germanic touch. Some of them are simple settings, others are monumental. The flower is also known in French as “étoile de Noël” for its star-shaped leaf pattern. Unfollow. I hope this inspires you to consider exploring a new culture over the holidays with your family. Little by little, the custom spread. Although some more religious families would argue that meagre meats, such as fish, should be eaten instead. His mother Mary wrapped him in cloths and laid him to sleep in the stable’s manger. Filter by post type. Therefore, each year Saverne hosts a Christmas event called “Féerie d’Hiver” (Winter Wonderland). This is a long dinner, sometimes a party, and the name comes from the literal meaning of the word réveil (meaning “waking”), because attending a réveillon involves staying awake until midnight or later! This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. The oldest Christmas market in Europe is that of Strasbourg, which dates back to 1570. Want to read this in French? Read more, Sélestat Christmas market © French Moments, The picturesque old town of Obernai specialises in a gastronomic Christmas market. James Christmas. What I like the most in a Christmas market is to experience the festive atmosphere. It has now become a very important tradition in the region. It includes 340+ photos, 256 pages and covers 16 destinations in Alsace. They were placed in a stocking. Read more, Christmas market of Montbéliard © French Moments, You’ve probably heard about Annecy and its lake with turquoise water at the foot of snow-capped mountains. Writings of that period describe the Christmas celebrations as being centred around the nativity: “ad praesepe”, in the church of St. Mary in Rome. A French Christmas Joyeux Noël ! Created around the 3rd century, this tradition started spreading amongst Christians. French Christmas food. In some regions this is the main celebration, with Christmas Day a quieter affair. A compilation of things I loved and experienced while visiting Alsace in December. Published in: Seasonal ideas. It is intended to be a magical and unforgettable moment for children too. Christmas in France, called Noël, is no exception, boasting many age-old traditions. There’s no holiday color-coding. Santa’s chalet, Annecy Christmas Market © French Moments. Christmas Eve Traditions. The Christmas market in Saverne is not particularly big. (the reproduction of the birth of Christ in real or miniature size with live actors or figurines). French Christmas Traditions France is a country rich with traditions and cultural customs. An interesting French Christmas tradition is that the French knot the ends of the tablecloth so the Devil can’t get under the table. Seafood at Christmas might seem strange to outsiders, but the French love it and Parisians are particularly fond of a platter of chilled oysters as a holiday appetizer. They are used to symbolise Jesus and his 12 apostles (orange, pear, apples, prunes, melon, white nougat, black nougat, pompe à l’huile [a flat cake filled with olive oil], sorb, dates, dry figs, almonds, nuts or hazel nuts, black raisins). These are Amazon’s best-selling travel products that you may need for coming to Paris. There are little clay figures called santons or little saints in the crèche, which you can buy from Christmas markets. The character of Santa was inspired by Saint Nicolas (Sinterklaas). They can be as elaborate or as simple as you want, but this is one French Christmas tradition that you cannot get away from. Wheat from Sainte-Barbe, the crib and the 13 Desserts of the ‘Gros Souper’... Provence keeps some wonderful Christmas traditions alive, whether founded in Christian beliefs or simply heralding regional identity. Pin it for later! ? French Holiday Traditions and vocabulary. I invite you to read my articles about how the French celebrate New Year in France. https://www.thespruceeats.com/french-christmas-recipes-1375385 The Unesco-listed Place Stanislas welcomes a superb Christmas tree while the Ferries wheel of Place de la Carrière offers a breathtaking view of the town. Increasingly more families start this French Christmas tradition on Christmas Day, when it is easier for the whole family to gather together. ? What a beautiful sight! Although the original versions contained pious images, the modern-day ones are filled with toys and chocolates. And thus more appreciated by protestant countries such as northern Germany and Scandinavia. When the Dutch migrated to the United States in the 19th century, they took with them the traditions of Saint Nicolas (Sinterklaas). ? ? Situated in northern Alsace, Haguenau organises a beautiful Christmas market during the whole festive period. © French Moments, A pointed Advent Calendar © French Moments, A material-made Advent Calendar © French Moments, An Advent Wreath in St. Clotilde church, Paris © French Moments, Alsatian Christmas Cookies © French Moments, Pâtisseries at Bauget, Maisons-Laffitte © French Moments. Post offices, banks, stores, restaurants, cafés and other businesses are closed. French Christmas Traditions Decorations. As in Northern America and in England, the poinsettia flower (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is widely used in Christmas floral displays, especially in Alsace. (some nativities have it already present, though it is positioned upside down until Christmas Day). Exchanging vows for Christmas and the New Year has been practiced between neighbours for centuries in France. Christmas in Alsace. Joel Poinsett first brought it to America in 1829. An advent wreath in a St Georges church, Sélestat © French Moments. The Unesco-listed Place Stanislas welcomes a superb Christmas tree while the Ferries wheel of Place de la Carrière offers a breathtaking view of the town. The food, the lights, the traditions–it’s easy to understand why they call it the most wonderful time of the year. The French call Carols either “des chants de Noël” or simply “des noëls” (masculine, without the capital N). Le Père Fouettard (the Bogeyman) is the counterpart of Saint Nicolas. FREE (50) Cbrocheriou Christmas vocabulary. French Christmas Traditions Christmas In France. with a broad black belt around his waist. There’s no extra cost to you. This is particularly true in, Some of the most popular French carols heard in English-speaking countries is “, The French Traditions of Christmas markets – les marchés de Noël, The oldest Christmas market in Europe is that of, They can now be found all over France, with their distinctive wooden chalets. You’ve probably heard about Annecy and its lake with turquoise water at the foot of snow-capped mountains. Read more, An alley of the The Metz Christmas Market on place Saint-Louis © French Moments, The festive market puts the emphasis on the character of Saint-Nicolas. Count down to Christmas with this guide to Christmas traditions in France. The French call these post office calendars “Almanach du facteur”. They are Christmas markets that I particularly like for their authenticity. Often presents are opened on the evening of 24 December, after the Christmas Réveillon dinner or after the midnight mass. Christmas markets mainly sell Christmas products or sometimes Christmas gifts. The family fasts all day, then everyone but the youngest children goes to midnight mass. ? In some parts of the North and Northeast of France, Christmas is celebrated on December 6th. ? But it is always an occasion for the family to sit down together and enjoy a variety of the most delicious dishes. 3 Magical French Christmas Lesson Plans to Spread the Holiday Cheer. Most popular Most recent. If so we’d love to hear about them in the comments below, have a lovely festive weekend and see you next week! Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. It’s that time of year… Christmas cards, decorations, Christmas trees, over-indulgence and, to the delight of some and the chagrin of others, non-stop holiday music everywhere. Simply amazing! All French Christmas markets find their origins in Alsace. Four candles top the Advent wreath. Take a ride on it and admire the fine stained-glass windows of the St. Etienne church. Find out more about Christmas in Sélestat. Christmas in France is a major annual celebration, as in most countries of the Christian world. These “traditions” are all fairly recent. Each region of France has its own Christmas songs. ? ? The Gospel of Luke recounts the story of the Christ’s birth in a stable. Click the blue text next to the headphone to hear me say that word or sentence in French. Expatica uses technology such as cookies and scripts to personalize content and ads, provide social media features, and analyze our traffic. It depends on the region but some common French Christmas foods include: 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. The menu varies according to the region. Or for the careful attention to the chalets and product display. They are performed at various times during the Christmas season. Liked it? Read more about the Nativity Scenes in France and Nativity scenes in Provence. Some of the most popular French carols heard in English-speaking countries is “Petit Papa Noël” and “Il est né le divin Enfant”. When the Dutch migrated to the United States in the 19th century, they took with them the traditions of Saint Nicolas (, Christmas’ presents – les cadeaux de Noël, The presents offered to each other at Christmastime represent Saint Nicolas’s caring attitude for children. The main street of the old town is also a must-see. During Christmas dinner a very good wine is required and Champagne is imperative. On January 6th, the French commemorate the visit of the 3 kings with a special cake: la galette des Rois. So same Christian traditions, right? French Christmas Traditions. This article features audio recordings. I love strolling from Place Broglié to the Petite France district via the Cathedral square. More recently, the fireplace has been replaced by the Christmas tree. This article will tell you when and where the tradition started and how it became a major part of the holiday festivities. Read more about these French traditions of Christmas: Advent in France. Let’s study lists of French Christmas terms to help you wish a merry Christmas in French to your French friends and discuss your own Christmas traditions! The Central America indigenous plant is appreciated for its red and green foliage that recalls the traditional colours of Christmas. In this post we’ll be covering many of the top French traditions of Christmas, including: Advent in France – l’Avent. Paris by night tour along the banks of the River Seine © French Moments. The Eiffel Tower Discovery Course is here! The rich heritage of the town of Colmar is brilliantly enhanced with a festive (and vintage) Christmas light display. Apart from Provençal nativities and live ones, there are also Baroque, Neapolitan, Comtoise nativities (from Franche-Comté) as well as theatre nativity scenes (which were presented in the town hall square of Paris for 17 years). If you have French ancestry, some of these French Christmas traditions may be familiar to you. "CHRISTMAS IN ALSACE - a Photographic Journey" Add to cart Info Like in many countries, the French exchange presents for Christmas. The best travel bag for your next trip to France! Père Noël (Father Christmas) is a skinny guy with a grey beard carrying a sack, leading a … Parisians usually have seafood and oysters with bran bread and butter, caviar, foie gras (goose liver pate) with currant jam and the famous Christmas Yule log (a chocolate cake in the shape of a log, decorated with plastic or sugared Christmas objects). ‘The light that illuminates the world’. You may also like. A beautiful Christmas atmosphere in Sélestat © French Moments, ? 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