Christmas in France is filled with traditions that are a little different from the ones we celebrate in the United States. Children wait for Père Noël, families enjoy a long Christmas Eve feast called Le Réveillon, and Christmas markets fill town squares with lights, food, and decorations.
Some French Christmas traditions also change depending on where you are in the country. In Provence, elaborate nativity scenes are filled with tiny figures called santons, while Strasbourg is famous for hosting one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe.
Here are some of my favorite fun facts about Christmas in France, plus French Christmas foods, crafts, music, and activities you can try with your kids at home.
Christmas in France at a Glance
Santa Claus: Père Noël
Merry Christmas: Joyeux Noël
Christmas Eve dinner: Le Réveillon
Traditional dessert: Bûche de Noël
Famous Christmas destination: Strasbourg, known as the Capital of Christmas
Popular tradition: Christmas markets, nativity scenes, festive meals, and beautifully decorated towns
Fun tradition for kids: Children traditionally leave their shoes out for Père Noël to fill with gifts.
Fun Facts about Christmas in France
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Fun Facts About Christmas in France
1. Santa Claus is called Père Noël
In France, Santa Claus is known as Père Noël, or Father Christmas. Traditionally, children leave their shoes by the fireplace on Christmas Eve for Père Noël to fill with small gifts and treats.
2. Christmas Eve dinner can last for hours
One of the biggest French Christmas traditions is Le Réveillon, a long Christmas Eve meal traditionally enjoyed after Midnight Mass. Depending on the region and family, dinner might include oysters, foie gras, seafood, roast meats, cheese, and plenty of dessert.
3. The Bûche de Noël looks like a log
One of France’s most recognizable Christmas desserts is the Bûche de Noël, or Yule log. It’s usually a rolled sponge cake covered in chocolate or buttercream and decorated to look like a wooden log.
You’ll find a recipe farther down in this article if you want to make one with your kids.
4. Strasbourg calls itself the Capital of Christmas
Strasbourg is home to one of the oldest Christmas markets in France, dating back to 1570. During the Christmas season, markets and decorations spread throughout the historic center, earning Strasbourg the nickname Capital of Christmas.
5. Nativity scenes can include an entire French village
Nativity scenes, or crèches, are an important Christmas tradition in France. In Provence, they often include tiny hand-painted clay figures called santons.
Along with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, you might see bakers, farmers, fishermen, shepherds, and other villagers. The result can look like an entire Provençal village surrounding the manger.
6. Some French families serve 13 desserts
In Provence, one traditional Christmas Eve custom is serving 13 desserts, representing Jesus and the 12 apostles.
The exact desserts vary, but the table might include dried and fresh fruits, nuts, nougat, dates, and a traditional olive-oil bread called pompe à l’huile. They are meant to be shared rather than 13 enormous desserts for each person!
7. Saint Nicholas visits some French children before Christmas
In parts of northeastern France, particularly Alsace and Lorraine, Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6.
Saint Nicholas traditionally brings children sweets and small gifts, giving some French children another special celebration weeks before Père Noël arrives.
8. French Christmas markets are about more than shopping
Christmas markets are an important part of the holiday season, especially in Alsace and northeastern France. Town squares fill with wooden stalls selling ornaments, crafts, Christmas foods, sweets, and hot drinks.
Strasbourg may be the most famous, but you’ll find Christmas markets throughout France.
9. Papillotes are French Christmas candies with a surprise
In France, particularly around Lyon, you may see chocolates called papillotes during the Christmas season. They’re wrapped in shiny paper and traditionally contain a little message, joke, or quotation inside the wrapper.
Think of them as a Christmas chocolate and fortune cookie rolled into one.
10. Christmas traditions are different throughout France
There isn’t just one way to celebrate a French Christmas. Alsace is famous for its Christmas markets, Provence has santons and 13 desserts, and different regions have their own foods and traditions.
That’s one of the things that makes learning about Christmas in France so much fun.
11. Christmas trees have a long history in Alsace
One of the earliest written references to decorated Christmas trees comes from Alsace in the 16th century. Today, Christmas trees are common throughout France and are decorated with lights and ornaments much as they are in the United States.
12. Christmas Day tends to revolve around family and food
December 25 is a public holiday in France, and many families spend Christmas Day together. Gifts are exchanged, but—as with Le Réveillon—food and a long meal are a big part of the celebration.
13. The French say “Joyeux Noël!”
If you’re celebrating Christmas the French way, there’s one phrase you need to know: Joyeux Noël! It means Merry Christmas.
Christmas in France Activities for Kids
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In France, the Yule Log is a big symbol of the season. It is a large log that burns from Christmas Eve and all the way until Christmas Morning as a way to welcome in the Season. Today some families burn the ends of their Christmas Trees, some get a really big log from the store, and many others decide to eat it instead! Read on….
The Buche de Noel is an unusual-looking but delicious-tasting dessert. It is a French interpretation of the Yule log, but instead of wood, it is made from delicious cake and buttercream.
This looks difficult to make, but it is supposed to look like a log, so it needn’t be perfect!
French Christmas Carols are similar to ones you might already know. But there may be some new ones for you. Here are some popular French carols that you can learn and sing:• Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant (He Has Come, The Divine Child)• Mon Beau Sapin (O Christmas Tree) • Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes (Angels We Have Heard On High)• Venez Divin Messie (Come, Divine Messiah) • Les Bergers d’la Crèche (Shepherds of the Stable). Enjoy singing these traditional songs and wishing your friends and family “Joyeux Noël!”
I particularly love the Nativity creches that are found all over France!
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas in France
How is Christmas celebrated in France?
Christmas in France is usually celebrated with family gatherings, festive meals, Christmas markets, decorations, and gift giving. Christmas Eve often includes a long dinner called Le Réveillon, while traditions and foods vary quite a bit from one region of France to another.
What are some unique Christmas traditions in France?
Some of the most distinctive French Christmas traditions include eating a Bûche de Noël, visiting Christmas markets, creating nativity scenes with santons in Provence, and serving 13 desserts on Christmas Eve in parts of southern France. In Alsace and Lorraine, Saint Nicholas Day is also an important part of the holiday season.
What do French children call Santa Claus?
Santa Claus is called Père Noël, which translates to Father Christmas. Traditionally, children leave their shoes out for Père Noël to fill with gifts and treats.
What do people eat for Christmas in France?
French Christmas foods vary by region and family, but a Christmas meal may include oysters, foie gras, seafood, roast meats, cheese, and elaborate desserts. One of the best-known French Christmas desserts is Bûche de Noël, a cake decorated to resemble a Yule log.
What is Christmas in France like for kids?
French children decorate Christmas trees, visit Christmas markets, enjoy special foods and wait for Père Noël to bring gifts. Depending on where they live, children may also celebrate Saint Nicholas Day, see elaborate nativity scenes, or participate in other regional Christmas traditions.
Where is the best place to experience Christmas in France?
Strasbourg is probably the most famous Christmas destination in France and is often called the Capital of Christmas. Its historic Christmas market dates to 1570, and the city center is filled with markets, lights and decorations during the holiday season.
How do you say Merry Christmas in French?
Merry Christmas in French is Joyeux Noël. You can pronounce it roughly as zhwah-YEU no-EL.
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