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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In Colmar, the Christmas celebrations from Advent to Epiphany give the Alsatian town a unique atmosphere. The fairy-tale setting of the old town is even more magical at Christmas time. Each year, the residents of Colmar decorate their windows and houses with great care. A visit to the Colmar Christmas Market promises to be an Read more…
Epiphany in France takes place on the 6th of January. It celebrates the date of the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. On that day, the three Wise Men, guided by the Star of Bethlehem, arrived from the East, bearing gifts for the divine Infant. In France, it is on 6 January that Read more…
Decorated with ornaments, glistening tinsel, blinking fairy lights and topped by a star, the French Christmas tree has become an iconic figure of Christmas. This discovery article will answer questions such as: where and when were the traditions of the Christmas tree born? what are the types of Christmas trees sold in France? what are the Read more…
There are many ways to fight the cold French winter. There are coats, gloves, soups, central heating…. and parties! Christmas is the first opportunity to warm the soul. However, the latter celebration centres on Christian traditions, family, food and presents. New Year’s Eve, also called “Réveillon de la Saint Sylvestre”, is another party. It has Read more…
According to tradition, the Christmas celebrations in Provence begin on the 4th of December on Saint Barbara’s Day and end on the 2nd of February at Candlemas. The four weeks of Advent is the perfect time to visit the town and villages adorned with festive lights, Christmas markets and Santon fairs. However, Christmas in Provence culminates Read more…
How do the French celebrate Christmas? I’m glad you asked it… for there is much to say about one of my favourite topics! Did you know that the French traditions of Christmas play an integral part in celebrating the birth of Jesus in France? Well, the festive season consists of many favourite customs such as Read more…
Advent in France is a time of waiting and preparing for Christmas. It lasts for four weeks, starting on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. ‘Advent’ derives from the Latin ‘adventus’ meaning “coming”. In Europe, November is the first month of the year when the weather is usually dark and cold. If you have children, nieces and Read more…
In France’s north-east, there are two main not-to-miss events in December: the Christmas market of Strasbourg and the Saint-Nicolas celebrations in Nancy. The former capital of the Dukes of Lorraine hosts a major event in honour to Patron Saint of Lorraine. The children of Lorraine expect Saint-Nicolas on the 6th December. They hope he’ll bring gifts and sweets. In Read more…
Each Christmas, Paris shows the world why it deserves the title of ‘City of light’. There are many sites to discover in Paris during the festive season: Notre Dame, the Champs-Elysées, the lights of the Grands Magasins in Boulevard Haussmann and many large and small Christmas markets found throughout the capital. Here is a selection of Read more…
Christmas in Alsace is genuinely magical. This region has had a large influence over Christmas celebrations in France. The Christmas market is a long-standing tradition there. The proximity of Germany gives a ‘germanic touch’ that is much appreciated in France. The setting is perfect. Old half-timbered houses richly decorated, an abundance of fairy lights, classical Read more…
Kugelhopf, Kougelhof, Kouglof… there are many names to describe what is certainly Alsace’s most famous cake which depend on local germanic dialect. A Kugelhopf is also prepared in neighbouring regions of Southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria. This recipe gives a ‘soft’ variant of the cake: spongy and moist it melts in your mouth when fresh. Read more…
November, December, January, February… in France, the cold and grey winter settles for a long time when gloomy and rough weather forces the vegetation into a well-earned pause. Trees are leafless, their trunks of a darkish-grey colour. Depending on the sky, snow and ice cover entire regions, disrupting human activity. Once the cheerful Christmas and Read more…
With its majestic façade and two bell towers, the Saint-Nicolas-de-Port Basilica in Lorraine has all the makings of a grand cathedral. And yet, the building does not carry the title of cathedral for the sole reason that the town of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port has never been the seat of a bishop. This masterpiece of Gothic architecture in Lorraine Read more…
Of all the Christmas markets of France, the one in Metz ranks as one of the most visited. You may have heard of Metz for its stunning gothic cathedral or for the Pompidou-Centre which opened a branch in the Lorraine city in 2010. On the occasion of our recent “Christmas Trip” in Alsace-Lorraine, we visited the Read more…
The Festival of Lights in Lyon (“Fête des Lumières” in French) is the most awaited public event in the Rhône-Alpes region and draws several million people onto the illuminated streets of the city. For locals and tourists alike, this celebration of light unveils the architectural treasures of the city in an unexpected way, through the illuminating Read more…
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