Christmas Traditions in France

Christmas Traditions in France: Which are the most important? How do you celebrate this oltral recurrence?

France is a very large, multiethnic country, in which many cultures coexist. It is therefore difficult to summarize in a few lines all the Christmas traditions present in France, with their numerous regional facets. However, some of these are particularly widespread, and therefore important to know in view of an expatriate in France or a simple journey.

Christmas markets

When you think about Christmas markets in France, how not to think about Strasbourg! The Marché de Noël of Strasbourg was in fact the first to be inaugurated in France in 1570 and on the model of the Weihnachtsmärkte German.

The French region of Grand East He still feels a lot of the influence of German culture, present in dialect, architecture but especially in Christmas: markets in Kaysersberg, Mulhouse and Colmar they do not go unnoticed, and they have nothing to envy the famous. Marché of Strasbourg.

strasburgo-market-natal — Strasbourg Christmas Market, November 2018

For those who want to spend Christmas in Paris, between markets, lighting and animated displays There is indeed the embarrassment of choice. Note on the march of the Tuileries, although quite touristy and perennially crowded. Certainly "victim" of its success!

If you are looking for something more intimate and original, Paris allows you to travel "to the North", thanks to its rich Scandinavian community and its unusual Christmas markets, organized for 2-3 days between November and December. On mine Instagram page You will find plenty of information about Christmas events in Paris.

The Saint-Nicolas (Saint Nicholas)

Although little widespread in Paris, the Saint Nicolas is one of my favourites among the Christmas traditions in France. The holiday refers to a San Nicola de Myre, Christian bishop of Lycia, in present-day Turkey. With time he became a symbol of goodness and generosity, especially towards children, and inspired the figure of the present Santa.

According to a legend, Saint Nicholas himself would have saved, accompanied by his donkey, three innocent children from the clutches of Pierre Lenoir, evil butcher who had deceived the three children to eat them. In French folklore, Saint Nicolas is therefore often represented on board a donkey and in the company of Père Fouettard or Père Fouchette, whose job is to punish children with frustration! Père Fouettard others is but the butcher Pierre Lenoir, known in Alsace as Hans Trapp and in the Netherlands as Zwarte Piet.

nicolas-French-natal — Saint Nicolas in the company of the Père Fouettard

In addition to France, the Saint-Nicolas is celebrated in many European countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Switzerland, Belgium and also Netherlands (Sinterklass). In France it is particularly felt in Alsace, Lorraine (where St Nicholas is patron), in the Ardennes and in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais. According to tradition, the saint visits the houses in the night between 5 and 6 December, bringing candy, chocolates and sweets to children. Typical of Saint Nicolas are in spicy biscuits, the spice loaf and the Mannala, brioches recalling the features of the saint.

Le calendrier de l’Avent

Although France is not the only country to respect it, the Calendrier de l’Avent (calendar of the advent) is more of an institution than a tradition!

Very expected as young and old, it begins to appear in the windows immediately after Halloween, and often at prices not even so popular! We know the rules: there are 24 boxes, one for every day of December until Christmas, and each one hides a treat or a small gift. The most famous and appreciated is of course the calendrier de l’Avent chocolate, but now you can find all kinds of tea, herbal teas, cosmetics, constructions, even beers or liqueurs!

French passion for calendrier de l’Avent goes hand in hand with another great Christmas tradition in France: les chocolats de Noël, and many other sweets inevitable on the French tables Christmas. In the home of the pastry shop, every excuse is good to taste and give sweets and chocolates, without forgetting all the typical dishes of French Christmas, to which I dedicated a separate article.

Despite its cosmopolitan and multicultural soul, France manages to surprise us with so many Christmas traditions much appreciated and respected. Joyeux Noël!