Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting France during the Christmas holiday season. Quaint Christmas markets aren’t exclusive to Germany; there are some really great Christmas markets in France as well. We’ve celebrated Christmas in France several times over the years. Traveling over Christmas is a great way to experience a new culture and partake in new traditions with your family.
Christmas Greetings
The first thing you need to know is how to say “Merry Christmas” in France. There are two common sayings you’ll use often. Bon Noel and Joyeux Noel are the two most common ways to say Merry Christmas in France. Joyeux Noel is the most popular version though.
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When is Christmas Celebrated in France?
In France, the big celebration is actually on December 24th, the night before Christmas. Le réveillon is a huge family celebration with a big meal and decorations. Be ready to eat well and celebrate into the wee hours on Christmas Eve. Typically, the whole family will attend mass in the evening and then come home to the big meal. This is also when good wine and champagne come out.
After everyone has gone to bed, Père Noël delivers gifts in the night to be opened in the morning. Rather than hanging your stockings on the mantle, French children leave their shoes by the fireplace. This isn’t the only time children receive gifts during the holiday season. On December 5, children leave their shoes outside the bedroom door and Saint Nicolas fills them with candies and treats.
The Advent Calendar is another popular activity during the holiday season in France. Starting on December 1, families begin to count down to Christmas. Each day of the Advent Calendar brings new treats until finally arriving at the big celebration.
Christmas Food in France
There are some quintessential French Christmas foods that you should have while celebrating. Foie Gras, oysters, and smoked salmon are the three most common appetizer-type foods you should have before the big meal. The main dish will be some kind of fowl. We’ve had turkey stuffed with chestnuts, or duck is another common dish served for le réveillon. You’ll be pretty full by now, but you must have dessert, too! The Yule Log, or bûche de noel, is a cake rolled into a log and frosted to look like bark.
A snack you might enjoy as you do your Christmas shopping is Marron glacé, which are candied chestnuts. These are often sold at the Christmas markets, in addition to traditional roasted chestnuts.
Mulled wine is a holiday treat for adults that helps you stay warm while celebrating outdoors at the Christmas markets and festivals.
Christmas Markets in France
Strasbourg Christmas markets have given the town the moniker of the “capital of Christmas markets.” Fortunately, Christmas markets can be found all over France. You absolutely have to experience Christmas markets if you visit France during the holidays. It’s a great place to do some Christmas shopping, and they always have fun activities for the kids. Some will even have a small carnival with games and rides.
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The Christmas Crèche
Another Christmas tradition in France is the Christmas Crèche. It’s really fun to go around to the different churches to see their nativity displays. Some of them are quite elaborate. There are even museums about the Christmas crèche.
Day of the Three Kings
The holiday season in France doesn’t end with Christmas. January 6th is Three Kings Day. This is actually the 12th day of Christmas and marks the close of the holiday season. This is when King Cake is served in France. Hidden inside the cake, there is a small toy and whoever gets the piece with the toy gets to wear the King’s crown for the day.
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We really enjoy the French Christmas traditions, which is why we’ve spent so many holiday seasons in France. The food and the festive atmosphere are fun for the whole family. I hope this inspires you to consider exploring a new culture over the holidays with your family. For more tips on family travel, check out some of our other blog posts: