Embraced by the fragrance of freshly baked pastries and the glow of twinkling lights, Christmas in France unfolds as a harmonious blend of rich traditions and gastronomic indulgence. In France's north-east, the enchanting season commences with the eagerly awaited Saint Nicholas’ Day and reaches its zenith on the 24th of December with the opulent Réveillon dinner.
French cities come alive with captivating illuminations and festive markets, inviting locals and visitors to immerse themselves in the magic of the holiday spirit.
From the cherished tradition of crèches and Midnight Mass to regional delights like the Gros Souper in Provence, every corner of France paints a unique stroke on the canvas of Christmas celebrations. Join us on a journey through the heartwarming traditions, culinary extravagance, and festive merriment that define Christmas in France.
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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…
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…
French Christmas Traditions are something special. Ask any French person, and they’ll tell you that Christmas is one of the most important holidays—right up there with Bastille Day! For many, it’s the most magical time of the year, filled with memories of family gatherings, festive meals, and beloved customs passed down through the generations. But Read more…
During 12 days in November and December 2018 we criss-crossed the regions of Lorraine and Alsace at the invitation of several Tourist Boards. The journey of this Christmas Trip brought us across France’s north-east region in 10 stages. With lots of photos, I hope this little summary of our trip will give you ideas of places Read more…
At French Moments we are carefully choosing selected partners to work with, who can help add value to your next French or European experience, and we think we’ve found one that you will love! I recently had the great pleasure of trying out Dineindulge, which offer a private chef experience. They got in contact with Read more…
Here are the dates of Christmas markets in France for 2024. Each year, Christmas markets open in towns and villages across France. With their unique architectural settings, French towns and villages deliver an enchanting setting enhanced with lights and decorations. Come and enjoy the aromas of mulled wine, hearty food, roasted chestnuts, and local delicacies Read more…
I have two favourite sites when it comes to Christmas in the Seine-et-Marne département. These are the château of Vaux-le-Vicomte and the Provins medieval Christmas market. The latter is a significant event in the region and takes place during one Advent weekend. Situated one hour from Paris, the medieval town of Provins is worth a Read more…
A joyous medieval atmosphere awaits all who come to Ribeauvillé! Open on two weekends during Advent, the Ribeauvillé Christmas market has become over the years a not-to-be-missed event in Alsace. In the waiting of Christmas, the historic wine town welcomes its visitors in a fairy-tale setting. Here, as in many villages of the Alsatian vineyard, the fine Read more…
On the first Sunday of Advent our French blog Mon Grand-Est organised a blog carnival on the theme of “An Enchanting Christmas“. To celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, French bloggers came together to write about their Christmas. We invite you to click on the links to their websites to find out more about Read more…
Christmas 2016 at Galeries Lafayette is just amazing. The department store has done a great work this year with beautiful and creative decoration. The theme chosen for the window display and the Christmas tree is magical and refers to our childhood dreams. Here are a few photos I took on the 10th December to show you how it looks Read more…
On the occasion of the Holiday season, the façade of Reims cathedral is magically enhanced by a visual and audio scenography: the Rêve de Couleurs light show. Thanks to the photos taken by the talented Frédéric Leroux, discover the majestic Gothic façade of the Notre-Dame de Reims in a new light! The Rêve de Couleurs light show Read more…
The Alsace Wine Route is a scenic itinerary that criss-crosses the Alsatian vineyards from Marlenheim to Thann. During the Advent period, many villages and towns host Christmas markets in a magical atmosphere. Lights, Christmas trees, Advent wreaths, beautiful Christmas window displays… here are 5 Christmas markets on the Alsace Wine Route to discover. Christmas Read more…
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