In Western Europe, the festive season unfolds as a rich tapestry of traditions, infusing the winter landscape with warmth and joy. France, with its elegant flair, embraces the spirit of Noël with elaborate decorations and indulgent feasts.
The French revel in the culinary delights of Réveillon, a sumptuous Christmas Eve dinner featuring roasted meats, foie gras, and delectable pastries.
Germany, renowned for its enchanting Christmas markets, transforms towns into magical realms where handcrafted ornaments and the scent of mulled wine captivate visitors. The Advent season, marked by festive calendars and wreaths, sets the stage for a joyous celebration.
The United Kingdom, with its timeless charm, brings forth traditions like pulling Christmas crackers adorned with festive surprises and partaking in a hearty Christmas dinner featuring the beloved roast turkey.
Switzerland, nestled in snowy splendour, embraces the season with festive markets and enchanting Samichlaus traditions. Families gather, exchanging gifts and enjoying culinary delights against snow-covered landscapes.
Across these Western European nations, Christmas weaves a universal tale of togetherness, culinary delights, and the timeless magic of the season. As streets illuminate with twinkling lights and carolers serenade, the spirit of Christmas unites these diverse cultures in a celebration of joy and goodwill.
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Chocolate Almond Bars are a delightful addition to your Christmas cookie platter. These buttery shortbread cookies are topped with slivered almonds, sandwiched with a subtle layer of fruity jam, and finished with a decadent dark chocolate coating on the ends. Combining the dough’s crispness with the filling’s sweetness and the almonds’ crunch, these cookies bring Read more…
Almond Chocolate Stars (étoiles amandes chocolat) are delightful holiday cookies that combine buttery dough, crunchy slivered almonds, and rich dark chocolate. Shaped like stars, these cookies are a beautiful addition to any Christmas cookie platter, bringing both flavour and festive cheer. Their crisp, golden edges and glossy chocolate-dipped tips make them as visually stunning as Read more…
Chocolate Spirals (Spirales au Chocolat) are delightful Christmas cookies that enchant with their artistic appearance and exquisite taste. Made from a combination of vanilla and chocolate dough, these rolled cookies create an eye-catching spiral design, perfect for brightening up any festive table. The subtle sweetness of vanilla pairs harmoniously with the richness of cocoa, offering Read more…
Basler Läckerli (or Leckerli) are an essential part of Swiss and Alsatian Christmas traditions. These spiced cookies, with their chewy texture, sweet glaze, and rich flavours, have been enjoyed for centuries and are a must-have during the festive season. With its rich history and irresistible flavour, Läckerli continues to bring warmth and joy to holiday Read more…
These festive checkerboard cookies (or Damiers, in French) are a delightful addition to any holiday table. Their elegant design, created by alternating vanilla and chocolate dough, makes them as pleasing to the eye as they are to the taste buds. With their tender, buttery texture and balanced flavours, Damiers are sure to charm family and Read more…
Butterbredalas (or Butterbredeles) are traditional Christmas butter cookies, cherished in Alsace for their delicate texture and rich buttery flavour. These little delights are made with a fine shortbread dough, enriched with sugar, creamy butter, and, for a touch of freshness, a hint of lemon zest. Their shapes vary depending on your creativity, as cookie cutters of Read more…
Chocolate Kipferl, or crescent-shaped cookies, are a hallmark of festive baking in Alsace. These tender, crumbly crescents combine the rich flavours of butter, finely ground hazelnuts, and dark chocolate into a truly irresistible treat. The gentle sweetness of vanilla sugar pairs beautifully with the depth of hazelnuts and the intensity of chocolate, creating a cookie Read more…
Chocolate Spritzbredele cookies are a traditional Christmas treat from Metz and Alsace, celebrated for their fine, crisp texture and rich, buttery flavour. Made with a blend of butter, sugar, flour, and almond powder, these elegant cookies are shaped into delicate S-shapes, either by hand or using pastry tools. Their golden surface reveals subtle hints of Read more…
Macarons sur Canapé (or Nutty Kisses on Shortbread) are delicious cookies on a shortbread base. They are an exquisite Christmas specialty, combining the richness of a tender shortbread base with the airy lightness of hazelnut macaron. The base, made from flour, sugar, butter, and egg yolks, provides a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Topping this soft foundation Read more…
Butter Chocolate Medallions are a decadent twist on a festive classic. These buttery cookies boast a tender, crumbly texture with a rich chocolatey surprise in the centre. The combination of the delicate dough and the chocolate filling creates an irresistible treat, perfect for holiday celebrations. Carefully crafted and beautifully decorated, these cookies are as much Read more…
Helena Schnitten are delicate Christmas cookies that combine the richness of butter with the sweet allure of chocolate and sugar. Their unique texture comes from the perfect balance of finely ground almonds and tender layers of pastry. Each cookie holds a luscious filling of almond powder, sugar, and egg white, delivering a nuanced flavour and Read more…
Spritzgebäck, also known as Spritz Cookies, are a traditional biscuit or cookie of German and Alsatian-Mosellan origin, made from a rich shortcrust pastry. These cookies are characterized by their crisp, fragile, and somewhat dry texture, balanced by a rich buttery flavour that melts in your mouth. When made correctly, they offer a delicate balance of Read more…
Cherry Butter Cookies are a true celebration of the holiday season’s flavours. Each delicately crafted cookie balances the buttery richness of the dough with the light texture of finely rolled pastry, creating a treat that melts in your mouth. At the heart of these little delights lies a candied cherry, adding a pop of fruity Read more…
Linzele (or Linzette) are delightful little Linzer Balls, inspired by the famous Linzer Torte, a traditional Austrian pastry. These cookies feature a tender, crumbly texture, thanks to a rich blend of flour, butter, sugar, and ground almonds, enhanced by the warm flavours of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Each hand-shaped ball hides a sweet surprise at Read more…
Will you be visiting France this Christmas? Oh, it’s something special. You’ll love visiting each new locality, from sparkling city streets to cosy villages glowing with festive lights. Here are my ten favourite places to enjoy the holiday season, each with its unique charm and Christmas spirit. 10 Places to Visit in France this Read more…
Every time we’ve stayed in the Luberon, wandering through the village markets has been a highlight. Among the bustling stalls, the famed Apt candied fruits often caught my eye. Yet, I scarcely gave them more than a passing glance in the past. Each time I returned home, my thoughts lingered on these quintessentially Provençal treats, tinged Read more…
Every year I think of a way to thank my readers and wish them a Merry Christmas. In 2023, let’s enter the world of Christmas Jazz in France!Christmas Jazz in France!After creating ebooks in previous years, I have chosen to do something different for Christmas 2022. I had the idea of producing a musical and photographic Read more…
You must have been born in Alsace or Germany to know about Christkindel, an enigmatic figure in Alsatian and German Christmas. A discreet figure, he is rarely seen at Alsatian Christmas markets… but with a little patience, you’re sure to come across him!Christkind illustrated in 1845Who is Christkind? First of all, there’s something strange about Read more…
Strasbourg cathedral welcomes around 4 million visitors a year, making it the second most visited church in France after Notre-Dame de Paris. As in many churches in Alsace and France, Christmas is a time for nativity scenes, Advent wreaths and other yuletide traditions. The Christmas Nativity Scene in Strasbourg cathedral is no exception. It is Read more…
France has such a rich culture that hundreds of thousands of visitors stop by every year to experience the magic of Christmas. With fantastic traditions, beautiful cities, and so many festive things to see and do, you’ll certainly want to capture the memories forever. To ensure the pictures and video footage you take do your Read more…
If you follow the Glass and Crystal Route through the thick forests of the Vosges du Nord, you’ll reach a glass mecca. Less than 10 km from Wingen, the glass-making site of Meisenthal has become a popular destination over the years. The former glassworks, which closed in 1969, has been resurrected to form three centres: Read more…
Under the starlight, a Christmas market emerges in the heart of a mountainous valley, gracefully extending at the foot of a majestic railway viaduct. As night falls, the Christmas lights transform this place into a true enchantment. And when snowflakes dance delicately, the gorges undergo a winter metamorphosis worthy of a fairy tale landscape. It Read more…
Step into the enchanting embrace of Christmas in Rothenburg ob der Tauber as this captivating German country town transforms into a winter wonderland, seamlessly blending centuries-old customs with the magic of the holiday season. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, with its medieval charm, becomes a festive haven where time-honoured traditions meet contemporary holiday delights. Join us on a Read more…
Step into a winter wonderland as we embark on a virtual journey to one of Germany’s most celebrated Christmas markets. The Dresden Christmas Market (or Striezelmarkt), with its history of over five centuries, invites visitors to embrace the enchantment of the holiday season. This market has everything from time-honoured traditions to culinary delights that tantalize Read more…
Welcome to a journey through the enchanting world of the Stuttgart Christmas Market! In the heart of Baden-Württemberg’s capital, Stuttgart, a timeless tradition comes alive every year, transforming the city into a winter wonderland. With a history that spans over three centuries, this market is not just one of the oldest in Europe but also Read more…
Cologne, Germany, is a city steeped in history and tradition. It transforms into a winter wonderland of sparkling lights, festive cheer, and the sweet scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts during the holiday season. The heart of this enchanting seasonal transformation lies in its world-renowned Cologne Christmas market. To be precise, there are not one Read more…
The Frankfurt Christmas market draws approximately three million visitors and is one of Germany’s largest Christmas markets. It starts, at the earliest, on the Monday preceding the first Sunday of Advent and consistently concludes on the 21st of December. The Römer building and its gabled façade, built on a charming cobblestone square, take centre stage in Read more…
When night falls, and the snow-covered roofs of the market stalls glisten beneath the radiant glow of numerous lights, Munich Christmas Market on Marienplatz reveals its most enchanting charm. The market’s signature is the majestic Christmas tree adorned with approximately 2,500 lights, which sparkles against the picturesque backdrop of the neo-Gothic town hall. The iconic Christkindlmarkt is Read more…
The Nuremberg Christmas Market is one of Germany’s oldest and undoubtedly most famous Christmas markets. You’ll find traditional Christmas decorations in the quaint wooden stalls, often handmade, and sweets like gingerbread. Other attractions include the Children’s Christmas and Star House, the Nuremberg Twin Cities Market and the Nuremberg Children’s Light Parade. Get ready to immerse yourself in Read more…
True to its student tradition, the Heidelberg Christmas Market serves as a global gathering spot, drawing students, friends, and families together, as well as a significant number of international visitors. Notably, guests arrive from countries like Switzerland, the United States, Japan, and more recently, Brazil. Heidelberg Christmas Market. Source: Depositphotos.com The market’s enchanting ambiance is fostered Read more…
The festive season in Germany brings to mind twinkling streets, the intoxicating aroma of mulled wine, shimmering lights, and charming stalls offering artisanal treasures. Every year, numerous German cities transform into winter wonderlands, each with its own unique charm and Christmas traditions. In this article, we embark on a journey to explore the Freiburg Christmas Read more…
When we saw his silhouette from afar, we were already terrified! As a child, I remember the visit of the sinister Père Fouettard. Fortunately for good children, Saint Nicholas was never far away. Père Fouettard is a legendary character in Christmas folklore in France and other French-speaking regions. He is often portrayed as the companion Read more…
La légende de saint Nicolas (also known as Il était trois petits enfants or Complainte de saint Nicolas) is a traditional French song with lyrics dating from the 18th century.The story of the songLa légende de saint Nicolas was collected by Gérard de Nerval in the province of Valois in 1842. This legend tells us how the Read more…
Every year I think of a way to thank my readers and wish them a Merry Christmas.Merry Christmas! After creating ebooks in previous years, I have chosen to do something different for Christmas 2022. I had the idea of producing a musical and photographic journey from Paris to the Eastern regions of France. I have selected my Read more…
The day after Christmas is another feast celebrating Christianity’s first martyr: Saint Stephen’s Day, in French, Fête de Saint-Etienne or La Sainte-Etienne. In English-speaking countries, this date is known as Boxing Day. In this article, we will go back in time to learn more about the origin of Saint Stephen’s Day in France. And to Read more…
Riding his black horse, he roams the countryside of northern Alsace with a vengeance. Hans Trapp is the terror of Alsatian gatherings. On St Nicholas’ Eve, he proudly takes part in the procession of the holy man in Wissembourg and other towns in the region. Here’s a look at the bogeyman of Alsatian children’s nightmares…Hans Read more…
Renowned as one of the best in Europe, the Winchester Christmas market is inspired by traditional German Christmas markets. Visitors enjoy its lively atmosphere and unique location in the shadow of the historic cathedral. I visited it a few days ago and I’m happy to share my photos and impressions with you here on the Read more…
Finally! After working on it for several months, the Christmas in France eBook is finally ready! This book is for those wanting to discover the Christmas traditions that make France – and particularly Alsace and Lorraine – such a unique holiday destination. A New Christmas in France Ebook Illuminations, decorations, Christmas trees and delicious sweets: Read more…
Everyone in France knows the only French secular song “Petit Papa Noël”. Grandparents, parents, children… everyone has listened to it over and over again in their younger years at Christmas time. However, it is not such an old song. In this article, we will learn more about its origin, which dates back to the Second Read more…
In this article, I give you 10 French books ideas that can inspire you for your child(ren)’s Christmas presents. 10 French Books Ideas for your Child’s Christmas Presents I’ve gone through my daughter Aimée’s (8 years old) library to come up with some French books ideas and recommendations for Christmas. I hope you find Read more…
It’s Christmas morning. Impatient as ever, the children can no longer stay in bed… at full speed, they rush down the stairs to the living room where the Christmas tree stands. And it doesn’t matter if the parents are still asleep, this morning it’s time to discover the presents that Santa Claus has placed at Read more…
Let’s step into the joy of Christmas in the UK with the discovery of one of the most popular festive traditions. The Christmas markets in the UK are somewhat a recent tradition and originate from the famous Weihnachtsmärkte in Germany. During Advent, the main cities and towns of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland host Read more…
Christmas presents are traditionally given to children (and also to grown-ups!) at Christmas. Wrapped in a shiny gift paper with a beautiful ribbon, it is given out by Father Christmas. However, the tradition of the Christmas gift hides an astonishing story… let’s have a closer look at its origins and traditions with a French twist! Read more…
![Christmas pyramid at the Magdeburg Christmas market - licence [CC BY-SA 2.0] from Wikimedia Commons](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Weihnachtsmarkt-Magdeburg-licence-CC-BY-SA-2.0-from-Wikimedia-Commons.jpg)
The Christmas Pyramid, also known as the Advent Pyramid, is an important decorative element of the Christmas season in German countries. It has been making its way into the French Christmas scene for several years, albeit timidly. I did my research and it turned out to be a fascinating task. I never imagined that there Read more…
Let’s enter the joy of Christmas in Germany by discovering the Weihnachtsmarkt tradition. The Christmas markets in Germany are indeed an age-old tradition. During Advent, thousands of markets open their doors to visitors. Their stallholders sell seasonal gifts and mouth-watering treats in the crisp winter air. But it’s not just about shopping. People also come Read more…
Here is a list of 20 destinations to visit in France at Christmas. This is an opportunity to discover places that you may not have known about, and that will be revelations for future trips. I take you to discover Alsace’s Christmas markets, Paris and Lyon’s illuminations, a Winter Wonderland in the Alps of Savoy, Read more…
It is in the midst of that sad context we’re living in, I came up with an idea. Which was to work on a photographic Christmas Ebook that would give you a glimpse of how Christmas is celebrated in the French province of Alsace. Well, after working on it for several weeks, the photographic eBook Read more…
For many, the words ‘Winter Wonderland’ refers to a popular American song played during the holiday season. As this year Christmas is looking like no other, I came up with some photos that create a wondrous Wintery atmosphere. Follow me on this journey to a French Winter Wonderland, from Paris to the Alps and Alsace. Read more…
Welcome to the 2020 French Moments Christmas Gift Guide! In the past, people have asked me about ideas for French-related products they could buy as a gift for Christmas. I used to reply individually to these enquiries and as you can guess it took me a fair amount of time to do so. This year Read more…
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