Saint-Nicolas celebrations in Nancy © French Moments
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Last Updated: 18 November 2023

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 Nancy, the celebration includes a number of festive events. A great parade, a show projected onto the façade of the City-Hall, a magical Christmas tree on Place Stanislas and a Ferris wheel on Place de la Carrière.

 


The Saint-Nicolas celebrations in Nancy: a local tradition

Saint Nicolas’ Day is mainly celebrated in north-eastern France, in the regions of Alsace and Lorraine. Other celebrating countries in Europe include Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria.

Saint-Nicolas’ celebrations happen usually on the 6th December, in commemoration of the Saint’s death.

In Nancy, Saint-Nicolas goes throughout the town visiting schools, so every child can receive sweets and lollies from him. The moment is often marked by a class photo and featured by the local newspapers.

Saint-Nicolas, Nancy © French Moments
Children have found Saint-Nicolas! © French Moments

A tradition still alive and well!

Nowadays, it is up to parents from the Lorraine region to perpetuate the tradition in their home on the night of the 5th by inviting Saint Nicolas. (There will usually be an adult member of the family disguised as the Patron of Lorraine).

The ritual always stays the same. The Saint asks children if they have behaved well. He’ll then distribute treats and presents to the obedient ones… But fortunately for our naughty kids in Lorraine, no one will receive a spanking from the ‘Père Fouettard’. (This for a simple reason: for under French law, our dear Père Fouettard would spend the rest of his days in prison!)

Saint-Nicolas vs Père Noël

Long gone are the days when children used to leave a glass of eau de vie and a plate of carrots for the Saint and his donkey by the fireplace.

Christmas in France - Santa Claus © French Moments
Santa Claus in France © French Moments

The days when Saint Nicolas was the sole distributor of the presents are also fading! Today, his American descendant Santa Claus (Père Noël) has stolen this role from him. In most towns of North-East France, Saint-Nicolas has now retroceded into a giver of lollies and sweets on the 6th December. Today Santa Claus holds the honour to give presents the night before Christmas.


A charming hotel at the heart of town!

During my stay in Nancy, I was accommodated at the Hôtel de Guise***, situated 18 rue de Guise in Nancy.

You can’t find a better central place to explore the old town and the Saint-Nicolas’ markets and Christmas lights!

As it names indicates, the hotel is situated in rue de Guise, just around the corner of the Grande-Rue and the Ducal Palace. Place de la Carrière is at 5 min walking distance.

The hotel occupies a mansion from the Renaissance with beautifully decorated rooms.

?? Book your room at Hôtel de Guise*** here…

Hôtel de Guise, Nancy © French Moments
Hôtel de Guise, Nancy © French Moments

The Saint-Nicolas celebrations in Nancy

Nancy is home to a hugely popular event during the festive season:

  • Les Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas: a 6 weeks-long period when the Christmas market is on, as well as a number of events and attractions (the Ferris Wheel and the light show on place Stanislas for instance). For more info read my article here…
  • Le Weekend de la Saint-Nicolas: this is the highlight of the Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas. The festivity takes place on the closest weekend to Saint-Nicolas’ Day (6th December). During two days they are a big parade, street animations and more.
Saint-Nicolas celebrations in Nancy © French Moments
Saint-Nicolas celebrations in Nancy © French Moments

Each year a particular theme sets the focus on:

  •  Le Grand Festin (the great feast) in 2017,
  • the Four Elements in 2018,
  • Super-heroes and Love in 2019.

The Great Weekend of the Saint-Nicolas celebrations

Each year up to 200,000 people visit Nancy during the great weekend of the Saint Nicolas celebrations. The festivities are held on the first weekend of December (7&8 December in 2019).

On that weekend, several artistic associations stroll along the streets of the town centre. Their role is to increase the expectation of Saint-Nicolas’ coming, in a festive and playful atmosphere.

Some lucky people may encounter Saint Nicolas at the Christmas market

Saint-Nicolas in Nancy © French Moments
Saint-Nicolas in Nancy © French Moments

… or in Place Stanislas!

Saint-Nicolas, Place Stanislas © French Moments
Saint-Nicolas on Place Stanislas © French Moments

The Saint-Nicolas parade in Nancy

At 6pm on Saturday, a great parade with floats criss-crosses the old town of Nancy from place Carnot to Place Stanislas. Some 34 floats follow a 1.7 kms itinerary, each of them designed according to the thematic of the year (Super Heroes and Love in 2019).

The parade of the Saint-Nicolas celebrations in Nancy © French Moments
The parade of the Saint-Nicolas celebrations in Nancy © French Moments

Most of Nancy’s surrounding suburbs, cities and villages are invited to take part in the parade with a themed float. In past years:

  • Essey-lès-Nancy with “Beauty and the Beast”,
  • Jarville-la-Malgrange with “O Christmas Tree”,
  • Laneuveville-devant-Nancy with “History of Lorraine”, or
  • Saulxures-lès-Nancy with “The Three Little Pigs”.

Corporations, companies and associations are also represented, such as:

  • the “Patrons Pâtissiers” with a themed-float based on “Snow White making cakes” or
  • the Catholic Relief Services with “Robin Hood”.
The parade of the Saint-Nicolas celebrations in Nancy © French Moments
The parade of the Saint-Nicolas celebrations in Nancy © French Moments

The City of Nancy’s floats are the last to parade. The floats of:

  • “The Evil butcher”,
  • “Père Fouettard” (the faithful companion of the Saint, armed with his whip) and
  • “Saint Nicolas” himself. 

The festive atmosphere in Place Stanislas 

Place Stanislas is the centre of the Saint-Nicolas celebrations. A magnificent fir tree from the Vosges Mountains stands near the statue of Duke Stanislas.

A light show on the City-Hall’s façade

Every night the façade of the city-hall hosts a 8 min-long light show “Les Rendez-Vous de Saint-Nicolas“. It tells the tales of Saint-Nicolas.


Memories of Saint-Nicolas’ Day

Two people born in Nancy tell about their memories of celebrating Saint-Nicolas in their youths (1960s and 1980s). That is my mother and me! 🙂

Marie-Christine remembers Saint Nicolas Day in Nancy…

Saint-Nicolas © French Moments
Saint-Nicolas and the children of Nancy in the early 1960s © French Moments

When I was a child in Nancy in the early 1960s, I don’t recall that Saint-Nicolas actually came into our school. Maybe this happened in villages around Nancy, but as for me and my friends, I encountered him every December at the big party organised by my father’s company. Every child was given the gift he/she had previously chosen, along with an enormous bag full of sweets and lollies.

Saint Nicolas was there wearing ornate clothes and was crowned with an immense mitre. His hand was holding the distinctive golden bishop’s crosier. When he passed by the crowd of children, I remember how much we eagerly followed him with our eyes, in the expectation to receive from him the long awaited present. Saint Nicolas was a tall man who was feared and respected.

Beware the Père Fouettard!

Unfortunately, he was accompanied by the terrible “Père Fouettard”, all dressed in black. His clothes were not the only black thing, as his face and hands were also blackened with charcoal. He was holding a whip, which we were told he used on naughty children.

To my relief, I never personally saw the Père Fouettard in action but I can tell you that all of us were well behaved in front of him! We tried not to pay too much attention to his sniggering, in order to limit our fear! But Saint Nicolas was there and saw to it that every child received his/her present and bag of sweets.

Pierre (yes it’s me!) remembers Saint Nicolas Day in Nancy

Saint-Nicolas Day French Moments 03
Saint-Nicolas visiting my school in Lorraine © French Moments

I only spent one year in a school in Nancy, and that was in pre-school in the early 1980s. On the 6th December, Saint-Nicolas visited the school and entered our classroom. The teacher told us to behave.

As a child, the character of Saint Nicolas was indeed very impressive: a tall thin man, all dressed up in yellow and red silk, which would make the Pope jealous! His crosier and bishop’s mitre always fascinated me. Surely, he was the same guy as the one pictured on my favourite “pains d’épices” (gingerbread), those which are only found at the grocer’s in December.

Of course, le Père Fouettard was there too, but for some reason, my attention was much more focused on the Saint… or maybe the actor impersonating the evil companion of Nicolas was acting very poorly on that day and did not convince me!

Everyone’s dressed up!

Other officials were there too: the director of the school, local politicians, and the press, all dressed up in suit and tie. Needless to say that Saint Nicolas’ outfit was really odd amongst all of the adults! In the 1980s, Saint Nicolas had long got rid of the heavy task of giving presents away to the Père Noël. But I remember being so happy to receive my bag of sweets, lollies… and clementines. I would first eat the citrus fruit to leave the yummiest for the last!

The parade of Saint Nicolas in the streets of Nancy was also magical for me. I remember the fireworks on Place Stanislas. It was the first time I ever saw fireworks and I was terrified by the sound of the colourful explosions. I remember screaming and screaming, so much so that my frustrated parents had to leave the celebrations with me crying in despair. I always remember this scene and smile when I watch the fantastic fireworks in Sydney at New Year.


Book your stay in Nancy!

My advice: don’t wait too long before booking your accommodation in Nancy, particularly during the Saint-Nicolas celebrations!

The Festivities of Saint-Nicolas in Nancy draws a huge crowd of people and availabilities in hotels/short-rentals tend to go very quickly.

To book your accommodation in Nancy, click on this affiliate link which will redirect you to our partner booking.com… or use the interactive map below:



Booking.com


Saint-Nicolas Celebrations: Practical info!

The Saint-Nicolas market, Nancy © French Moments
The Saint-Nicolas market, Nancy © French Moments
  • The great weekend of the Saint-Nicolas celebrations in Nancy takes place on Saturday 7 December (parade day) and Sunday 8 December 2019.
  • The country guest of honour for 2019 is Luxembourg.
  • All museums in Nancy are free during the great weekend of the Saint-Nicolas celebrations.
  • During the whole celebration, a little train offers free rides between the Christmas markets (Place Charles III to Place Simone Veil, Place des Bourgets, and Place de la Carrière).
  • For more info, check out the official website of the Nancy Tourist Board.
  • I’ve published another article about visiting Nancy in December.

How to get to Nancy

Nancy is easily reached by car from Paris, Lyon, Belgium and Germany through the network of reliable motorways crossing Lorraine from West to East and North to South.

Fancy driving?

From Paris, take the N4 which is mostly a dual-carriage-way. Belgium and Germany are not far away either thanks to the A31 and the A4.

Prefer flying?

If you travel from Australia or America, take a flight to Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt or Luxembourg airports and rent a car from there! The closest international airport is actually Luxembourg, some 100 km away from Nancy by motorway.

Travelling by Train?

The TGV from Paris-Gare de l’Est take only 1.30 hours and links the Lorraine headcity without any stops along its way.

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Christmas in Nancy © French Moments


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About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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