Curious what are the most common Christmas traditions in France?
As in many other nations, Christmas in France is a time of grand celebration. People get together with their families and celebrate Christmas in ways that may or may not be similar to those in neighboring nations.
French culture is heavily affected by Catholicism, although France is officially a secular state. Even inside France, there is a wide range of customs practiced by its citizens. Distinct differences between northern and southern regions can be seen. Plus, there are also differences per household as the dynamics of every home are unique.
Heading to France this Christmas, and you want to know what to expect? Here is a list of the most well-known French Christmas customs, including meals, celebrations, and more.
Things you'll find in this article
11 Christmas Traditions In France
1. Advent Calendars
The French use a unique calendar called an “Advent Calendar” to help them count the days until Christmas. Despite its German origins, the advent calendar has become a beloved French Christmas tradition, especially among young children.
The traditional advent calendar consists of a piece of cardboard with twenty-four (or perhaps twenty-five) little compartments. The idea is that it will help the kids hold out until Christmas Day on December 25th. The point is to celebrate the arrival of each new day with a small gift. There are many calendars, such as chocolates, books, crystals, small accessories, and gift cards.
2. Christmas Tree
In France, the Christmas tree is the primary representation of the holiday season. In the 16th century, the custom made its way to France from Germany. Sugary treats, candies, and apples, a wintertime treat back then, adorned the branches.
In 1858, a severe drought in France destroyed the summer harvest and altered the course of history. By Christmas, the French households had very little food left.
A glassmaker developed the idea of using glass balls instead of apples in Moselle. As a result of the overwhelmingly positive response from the residents, the practice of using these kinds of decorations for the Christmas holiday quickly spread throughout the rest of France.
Germany was the first significant country to embrace it. The glass decorations were first made in a factory in Goetzenbruck, Moselle.
3. Crèche de Noel
Among the many iconic symbols of Christmas is the crib where Jesus was born. Francis of Assisi, it is theorized, began the practice of staging live Nativity scenes complete with live animals in an abandoned barn in the 13th century. The Revolution led to the widespread adoption of the Provencal custom of setting up nativity displays in homes across France.
In reality, the nativity scene exemplifies a well-ordered community down to the last detail. There are two distinct nativities in Provence.
Houses, a bakery, a water mill, snow, pine trees, olive trees, and the night sky all lit up traditionally are all depicted in one set. The second group shows the Holy Family in Jesus’s manger, including Mary, Joseph, Jesus, a donkey, a bull, and the star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi and other visitors to the family.
4. Mistletoe
Mistletoe is a traditional Christmas decoration in many homes and towns across France, just as it is in a significant number of other countries and communities all over the world.
On the other hand, kissing under the mistletoe (which is known as le gui in French) is not a tradition in France.
In France, it is considered a lucky charm. French people frequently use it as a decoration for their front doors or as a gift for their friends at New Year’s to wish their friends the best of luck in the year to come.
5. Marchés de Noel
The French are famously known for their love of food, and this trait shines through even more during the holiday season. Lots of cities and towns in France host Christmas markets where they sell regional foods and beverages in addition to artisanal goods. Some of the most popular Christmas markets are the ones in Metz and Strasbourg.
The market stalls are made of wood and have a genuine homemade quality to them, which contributes to the overall quaint atmosphere. Combined with brisk weather and upbeat music, they unquestionably produce an atmosphere reminiscent of Christmas.
6. Christmas Log
In France, no Christmas celebration would be complete without a log for the fireplace. The practice of burning a cherry tree stump in the fireplace at Christmas dates back to medieval times when doing so was thought to bring good fortune to the home. Wood chips from the previous year were used to light the fire that had been seasoned with oil and wine.
Ashes kept all year long were believed to provide a spiritual shield for the house.
Today, the Christmas log can be found on the dining table. Taking the form of a tree trunk, this classic chocolate roll is decorated with marzipan berries, mushrooms, and leaves.
7. 13 Desserts
In Provence, celebrating Christmas with “Les treize desserts” is an age-old tradition (Southern France). After the main course is served on Christmas Eve, people usually partake in thirteen desserts, and each is meant to symbolize either Jesus or one of his twelve apostles.
Each guest must consume all thirteen to ensure they will have good fortune in the coming year. In most cases, the 13 sweets include candied or dried fruits (such as dates or plums), calissons (French biscuits), flatbreads, nougat, nuts, and spreads.
8. Père Noël
The French name for Santa Claus is Père Nol, and on Christmas Eve, he tours the globe delivering gifts to children. French children no longer set their shoes by the fireplace filled with carrots for Père Nol’s donkey; instead, they place them under the Christmas tree.
On Christmas morning, nice youngsters rush to the tree to see what presents Père Nol brought them after descending the chimney. After Midnight Mass or the Réveillon on Christmas Eve, some families choose to exchange gifts.
St. Nicholas Day (December 6) is the unofficial beginning of the holiday gift-giving season for specific households.
In France, on the night before Saint Nicholas Day, kids hang their shoes by the tree while they listen to Saint Nicholas-themed music and stories. Each morning, the nice kids will wake up to find sweets in their shoes. A bunch of sticks tied with a ribbon if they’re on Pere Noel’s naughty list.
- Letters from Père Noël
Writing to Santa is a worldwide Christmas tradition, but in France, he responds. In 1962, the government mandated that all children who wrote to Santa Claus would be given a reply in the form of a postcard. The mail service has maintained this tradition for four decades, responding to thousands of letters from kids addressed to Santa Claus.
9. Christmas Eve Dinner
In France, the Christmas feast is the centerpiece of the holiday celebrations. Close relatives get together for this annual celebration on the evening of December 24.
The Christmas Eve meal in France varies in significance from family to family, and regional specialties also change from one area of the country to another.
However, there are some requirements for a traditional French Christmas Eve meal. Oysters, salmon, and foie gras are staples of any authentic French Christmas meal, with an apéritif to start.
The main dish is either turkey or a capon filled with chestnuts, and a fine bottle of red wine accompanies the meal. Next comes the cheese course, followed by dessert—typically a bûche de Nol (Christmas log cake).
10. Midnight Mass
The sound of church bells on Sunday and Christmas Eve is ubiquitous in modern France, despite the country’s secular status. A major French Christmas custom is the Midnight Mass, which is held every year on December 24 at midnight.
Following the Christmas feast, gift opening, and digestifs, families often attend the local Christmas Mass together.
All family members, no matter how young or elderly, will be present at midnight Mass that the vast majority of French Catholics will attend. They then return home, where many kids will find that Père Noël
has already stopped by.
11. Fête des Rois
In France, the holiday season doesn’t wind down on December 25. The holidays are until Three Kings’ Day, also known as Epiphany to Orthodox Christians. The traditional French king cake, or galette des rois, is baked and served on this day.
The pastry is filled with almond cream, and a fève (a miniature baby figurine) is tucked away inside. Whoever receives the piece containing the fève is declared the day’s king or queen.
The paper crown is typically included with the cake purchase at most bakeries. It’s a great way to cap off the Christmas season and offers a satisfying finale to the past two weeks of celebrations.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.