noël en france. the start of the season the christmas season begins on december 6 th, la fête de...
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Noël en France
The Start of the Season
The Christmas season begins on December 6th, la fête de Saint Nicolas, Saint Nicolas Day.
In Lyon, December 8th is La Fête des Lumières, or The Festival of Light. It stems from the Catholic Holiday called “The Festival of the Immaculate Conception.” The people of Lyon pay homage the virgin Mary by putting candles in their windows to light up the city.
French Christmas Traditions
French children put their shoes in front of the fireplace for Père Noël to come fill them with candy, fruit, nuts, and gifts.
Some families are also visited by Père Fouettard who gives spankings or punishments to “naughty” children.
In 1962, France passed a law that all children who write a letter to Père Noël must receive a written response.
La Messe de Minuit
Although fewer and fewer French citizens are attending midnight mass, or La messe de Minuit, it is still a popular tradition in France.
La RéveillonLa Messe de Minuit is followed by La Réveillon. This is a large meal which is usually eaten at home, but sometimes in restaurants.
La Réveillon is French for “the awakening.” The feast is supposed to awaken people to prepare for the birth of Christ.
Traditional Foods of La Réveillon
Le jambonLa dinde
Les huîtres
Le pain calendeau- Christmas LoafIn southern France, people give le pain calendeau to a poor person in town.
Traditional Desserts of La Réveillon
La bûche de Noël
Treize desserts (in Provence, France)
This southern French tradition entails eating thirteen desserts in honor of the 12 apostles and Jesus.
Treize Desserts de Noël:Traditionally, the 13 desserts consist of:1. Black Nougats2. White Nougats3. Dried Figs4. Almonds5. Hazelnuts or other nuts6. Dried Grapes 7. Dates
The final 6 vary from family to family but usually consist of:OrangesClementinesApplesPearsGrapesQuince PasteMelonCalissons d’Aix (almond-paste pastry with sugar icing)Oil Cake called Fougasse or Pompe à l’huile (made with Orange Flower Water and Olive Oil)
Sapin de Noël
Le sapin de Noël , Christmas tree, has been a French Christmas decoration since 1837.
The first trees appeared in Alsace in the 14th century. They were decorated with apples, paper flowers and ribbons.
La crèche
Many people in France also include La crèche, which is the French word for manger.
La crèche cont….
Many churches also have people act out plays or puppet shows to teach the important concepts of this holiday season.
Le gui
People hang mistletoe, le gui, above doors to bring good luck and fortune throughout the year.
La fête des Rois
La fête des Rois, Three Kings Day, is celebrated on January 6th.
In some parts of France, it is celebrated the first Sunday after New Year’s Day.
La Galette des Rois/ Le gâteau des Rois
This dessert is called “King Cake” in the United States and is eaten in Louisiana on January 6th as well.
La fève
Usually, a figurine of the baby Jesus (la fève) is baked into the cake. Whoever receives the piece with the figurine usually has some sort of privileges or obligations such as hosting a party.
France at Christmas time in photos…
La Fin
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