In the Alsatian language it's called the "Christkindelsmarik". Yule Logs made out of Cherry Wood are often burned in French homes. 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. 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. The locals buy the figurines at Christmas markets and display their Nativity scene in their home until February 2nd.
French Christmas traditions. Imagine all the best French delicacies like foie gras, escargot, oysters, turkey, goose and capon… Yum! The traditional Christmas church service is held on Christmas Eve in France. They celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, believed to have happened on that night. After the service, people return home to either sleep, eat, or open presents for those with excited little ones.
In France, this day is celebrated with the famous galette des rois, or king cake. Most bakeries even sell the cake with a paper crown. Are you dreaming of experiencing a real French Christmas? Let us know in the comments below! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The character gradually evolved into Santa Claus. More recently, the fireplace has been replaced by the Christmas tree.
He would stop at each and every house. And climb down through the chimney to leave presents for every child who has behaved themselves through the past year. On Christmas morning, children run to the Christmas tree to see what Santa has left under it for them.
Read more about Santa Claus. They are also symbolic of the gifts offered by the three wise men to Jesus on 6 January at Epiphany , when they arrived at the stable. Until the s, children in France received an orange and a small gift for Christmas.
They were placed in a stocking. 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.
Created around the 13rd century, this tradition started spreading amongst Christians. Nativities with life-size statues of the characters and plays have been displayed in public places for centuries.
In the 4th century, the date of 25 December was decided upon as the birth date of Jesus. Every year since then on 25 December, a figurine representing Jesus has been placed in the nativity. The first nativity known to man dates back to the 6th century.
Mary in Rome. In , St. Francis of Assisi created the first living nativity with people from his church in Greccio. Villagers played the characters. The role play even included live animals! To represent the baby Christ, St. Francis put a consecrated host in the nativity, although it was later replaced by a live infant. Little by little, the custom spread. 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.
It has now become a very important tradition in the region. The menu varies according to the region. But it is always an occasion for the family to sit down together and enjoy a variety of the most delicious dishes. Christmas is a time for celebration and thus the French indulge in luxury food and delicatessen. Eating at the table for a long time is also a social custom in France. It is intended to be a magical and unforgettable moment for children too.
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.
Although some more religious families would argue that meagre meats, such as fish, should be eaten instead. Foie gras is also consumed in Provence, as is the dessert Yule log. However, it is a tradition to eat 13 desserts in Provence. French people take a great deal of care when creating decorations for the Christmas Eve dinner. This is particularly true for placing ornaments for the dining table, which must look elegant and inviting. However, not everyone will be joining the church on that night.
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. Families get together in prayer and carol singing in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ which tradition is believed to have occurred at night.
For the occasion, people decorate their churches with Christmas candles, Christmas trees and a Nativity scene. Some families come back home after the Mass to savour the French Christmas log and occasionally to open their Christmas presents.
Each region of France has its own Christmas songs. This is particularly true in Provence. It was written in the early 16th century. Christmas carols in France:. While in France, English and German carols have been adapted into French :. Indeed the proximity of the region to Germany gives Alsatian and French Christmas markets a distinctly Germanic touch.
This is apparent in the structure of the market stalls. These are little wooden houses resembling mountain chalets, covered in lights and decorations. The oldest Christmas market in Europe is that of Strasbourg , which dates back to Christmas markets mainly sell Christmas products or sometimes Christmas gifts. But more recently some would say there has unfortunately been a large amount of commercialisation of the idea of Christmas markets. They can now be found all over France, with their distinctive wooden chalets.
What I like the most in a Christmas market is to experience the festive atmosphere. This is not just for getting ideas for presents. It is for the decoration and organisation that people put into it. Therefore I have my favourites! They are Christmas markets that I particularly like for their authenticity. Or for the careful attention to the chalets and product display. A few examples:. Obviously the largest of all Christmas markets in France.
As we said, one of the oldest in Europe. I choose not to come on weekend days to avoid the crowds of tourists! Read more about Strasbourg at Christmas. The rich heritage of the town of Colmar is brilliantly enhanced with a festive and vintage Christmas light display.
Read more about Colmar at Christmas. The protestant church of St. Etienne provides a spectacular backdrop to the market. Read more about Mulhouse at Christmas. One of the most authentic Christmas markets in France! Kaysersberg is also one of our favourite spots in Alsace. Read more about Kaysersberg at Christmas.
While a small glass of sweet liqueur is the perfect accompaniment to the chocolate pudding, a merry flow of champagne is preferred with the main course. The 13 traditional desserts eaten at Christmas in Provence. The French festive dining experience is most definitely a marathon, not a sprint, as festive feasts continue into the New Year a similar banquet to Christmas Eve is held on the last night of the year.
Perhaps the most charming of the culinary customs happens on 6 January when families go to the boulangerie to buy the traditional treat of galette des rois to mark the feast of Epiphany. A puff pastry cake, the dessert dates back to the 14th century and hides a figurine in its layers of pastry, butter and ground almonds. Traditionally, the family gather round to cut the cake with the youngest child hiding under the table, instructing who should get each piece, so as no one can cheat.
Whoever bites into a slice with the enclosed trinket is crowned king or queen for the day, bringing the custom of eating like royalty for almost two weeks to a very sweet end.
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