{"id":92,"date":"2026-09-30T17:09:07","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T16:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leweb2ks.dev\/vitrine-vocadial\/en\/resources\/christmas-in-france\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T17:09:07","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T16:09:07","slug":"christmas-in-france","status":"publish","type":"vd_ressource","link":"https:\/\/vocadial.com\/en\/resources\/christmas-in-france\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas in France: dates, traditions and French vocabulary"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Christmas calendar in France<\/h2>\n\n
Date<\/th>Name<\/th>What happens<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
from late November<\/td>les march\u00e9s de No\u00ebl<\/td>Christmas markets, especially in Alsace; Strasbourg’s is said to date back to 1570<\/td><\/tr>
1 December<\/td>le calendrier de l’Avent<\/td>the first window of the Advent calendar<\/td><\/tr>
4 December<\/td>la Sainte-Barbe<\/td>in Provence, wheat seeds are planted in saucers; green shoots by Christmas promise a good year<\/td><\/tr>
6 December<\/td>la Saint-Nicolas<\/td>in the north and east of France: sweets and gingerbread for children<\/td><\/tr>
around 8 December<\/td>la F\u00eate des Lumi\u00e8res<\/td>Lyon: candles in windows and light shows over several nights<\/td><\/tr>
24 December<\/td>le r\u00e9veillon de No\u00ebl<\/td>Christmas Eve dinner; midnight Mass, la messe de minuit<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
25 December<\/td>No\u00ebl<\/td>public holiday; presents; family lunch<\/td><\/tr>
26 December<\/td>la Saint-\u00c9tienne<\/td>public holiday only in Alsace and Moselle<\/td><\/tr>
31 December<\/td>la Saint-Sylvestre<\/td>New Year’s Eve dinner, also called le r\u00e9veillon<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
1 January<\/td>le jour de l’An<\/td>public holiday; New Year wishes<\/td><\/tr>
early January<\/td>l’\u00c9piphanie<\/td>the galette des rois<\/span>, shared all month<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

In France, Epiphany is celebrated on the Sunday between 2 and 8 January; 6 January itself is not a holiday. Of all these dates, only 25 December and 1 January are public holidays across the whole country.<\/p>\n\n

The traditions in detail<\/h2>\n\n

Le r\u00e9veillon<\/h3>\n\n

R\u00e9veillon<\/span> comes from r\u00e9veiller<\/span>, “to wake”: a dinner that keeps you up late. It is the heart of French Christmas: a long meal with the family on 24 December, often starting with foie gras<\/span>, oysters (les hu\u00eetres<\/span>) or smoked salmon, followed by turkey with chestnuts (la dinde aux marrons<\/span>) or capon (le chapon<\/span>). Some families hold their main meal at lunchtime on the 25th instead.<\/p>\n\n

It ends with the b\u00fbche de No\u00ebl<\/span>, a sponge roll shaped and decorated like a log, filled with cream or butter cream; ice-cream versions are popular too.<\/p>\n\n

The word r\u00e9veillon<\/span> is also used for New Year’s Eve, le r\u00e9veillon de la Saint-Sylvestre<\/span>, more often spent with friends.<\/p>\n\n

Le P\u00e8re No\u00ebl and the presents<\/h3>\n\n

Le P\u00e8re No\u00ebl<\/span> comes during the night of 24 to 25 December. Traditionally children leave their shoes (les souliers<\/span>) by the fireplace or under the tree. Depending on the family, presents are opened after dinner on the 24th or on the morning of the 25th. La Poste has answered children’s letters to Father Christmas since 1962.<\/p>\n\n

Saint-Nicolas<\/h3>\n\n

On 6 December in Alsace, Lorraine and the north of France, Saint Nicholas brings children sweets, oranges or gingerbread, sometimes with his dark companion, le P\u00e8re Fouettard<\/span>. In Belgium, Saint-Nicolas is the main gift day for young children.<\/p>\n\n

The cr\u00e8che and the santons<\/h3>\n\n

Many families set up a cr\u00e8che<\/span> (nativity scene). In Provence it is filled with santons<\/span>, small painted clay figures: not only the Holy Family but the whole village, from the baker to the fishwife. Santon fairs are held in December.<\/p>\n\n

The thirteen desserts of Provence<\/h3>\n\n

In Provence, Christmas Eve begins with the gros souper<\/span>, a meatless meal, followed by thirteen desserts, said to represent Christ and the twelve apostles. The list varies from family to family, but it usually includes:<\/p>\n\n

  • the four mendiants<\/span>: dried figs, almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts, and raisins<\/li>
  • dates<\/li>
  • white and black nougat (le nougat blanc<\/span>, le nougat noir<\/span>)<\/li>
  • the pompe \u00e0 l’huile<\/span>, a sweet olive-oil bread<\/li>
  • fresh fruit, such as oranges or grapes<\/li>
  • local sweets such as calissons<\/span> or candied fruit<\/li><\/ul>\n\n

    Traditionally they stay on the table for three days.<\/p>\n\n

    New Year and the galette des rois<\/h3>\n\n

    At midnight on 31 December, people wish each other Bonne ann\u00e9e !<\/span> and may kiss under the mistletoe (le gui<\/span>): in France, mistletoe belongs to New Year rather than Christmas. French people send their greetings in January rather than December: les v\u0153ux<\/span> can be sent until the end of January.<\/p>\n\n

    In January, the galette des rois<\/span> is everywhere. In most of France it is a puff-pastry tart filled with frangipane (almond cream); in the south it is often a brioche crown with candied fruit, le g\u00e2teau des rois<\/span>. A small charm, la f\u00e8ve<\/span>, is hidden inside. The youngest person goes under the table and says who gets each slice; whoever finds the f\u00e8ve becomes king or queen and wears the paper crown.<\/p>\n\n

    Other French-speaking countries have their own customs. In Quebec, the season is le temps des F\u00eates<\/span>, with tourti\u00e8re<\/span>, a meat pie, on the menu; in Belgium and Switzerland, Saint-Nicolas matters more than in most of France.<\/p>\n\n

    Christmas vocabulary and greetings<\/h2>\n\n
    French<\/th>English<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    No\u00ebl (m)<\/td>Christmas<\/td><\/tr>
    le sapin de No\u00ebl<\/td>the Christmas tree<\/td><\/tr>
    la cr\u00e8che<\/td>the nativity scene<\/td><\/tr>
    le santon<\/td>the santon (clay figure)<\/td><\/tr>
    le P\u00e8re No\u00ebl<\/td>Father Christmas<\/td><\/tr>
    le cadeau, les cadeaux<\/td>the present, the presents<\/td><\/tr>
    la guirlande<\/td>the tinsel, the garland<\/td><\/tr>
    la boule de No\u00ebl<\/td>the bauble<\/td><\/tr>
    l’\u00e9toile (f)<\/td>the star<\/td><\/tr>
    le calendrier de l’Avent<\/td>the Advent calendar<\/td><\/tr>
    le r\u00e9veillon<\/td>the Christmas or New Year’s Eve dinner<\/td><\/tr>
    la b\u00fbche de No\u00ebl<\/td>the Yule log<\/td><\/tr>
    le gui, le houx<\/td>mistletoe, holly<\/td><\/tr>
    la galette des rois<\/td>the Kings’ cake<\/td><\/tr>
    la f\u00e8ve<\/td>the charm hidden in the galette<\/td><\/tr>
    Joyeux No\u00ebl !<\/td>Happy Christmas!<\/td><\/tr>
    Bonnes f\u00eates !<\/td>Happy holidays!<\/td><\/tr>
    Bonne ann\u00e9e !<\/td>Happy New Year!<\/td><\/tr>
    Meilleurs v\u0153ux !<\/td>Best wishes!<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

    Joyeux No\u00ebl et bonne ann\u00e9e !<\/span>Happy Christmas and a happy New Year!<\/small><\/p>\n\n

    \u00c0 No\u00ebl, on mange une b\u00fbche.<\/span>At Christmas, we eat a Yule log.<\/small><\/p>\n\n

    Le P\u00e8re No\u00ebl m’a apport\u00e9 un v\u00e9lo.<\/span>Father Christmas brought me a bike.<\/small><\/p>\n\n

    Pronunciation: Joyeux No\u00ebl<\/span> is “zhwah-YUH no-EL”: the two dots on the \u00eb mean the o and the e are said separately. V\u0153ux<\/span> rhymes with deux<\/span>; the x is silent. In Bonne ann\u00e9e<\/span>, the n links into the next word: “bo-na-NAY”.<\/p>\n\n

    Typical mistakes of English-speaking learners<\/h2>\n\n
    • “Bon ann\u00e9e”:<\/strong> ann\u00e9e<\/span> is feminine: bonne ann\u00e9e<\/span>.<\/li>
    • “Joyeuse No\u00ebl”:<\/strong> No\u00ebl<\/span> is masculine: Joyeux No\u00ebl<\/span>.<\/li>
    • “Le No\u00ebl” or “en No\u00ebl”:<\/strong> “at Christmas” is \u00e0 No\u00ebl<\/span>, “for Christmas” pour No\u00ebl<\/span>.<\/li>
    • Missing tr\u00e9ma:<\/strong> No\u00ebl<\/span>, not “Noel”.<\/li>
    • Christmas Eve:<\/strong> “the day before Christmas” is la veille de No\u00ebl<\/span>; the r\u00e9veillon<\/span> is the meal.<\/li>
    • British customs transplanted:<\/strong> there is no Boxing Day and no crackers in France; mistletoe is for New Year.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n

      In class: Christmas and the galette<\/h2>\n\n

      Most French Christmas dates fall in the UK holidays, so the natural moments are your last week of the autumn term and your first week back.<\/p>\n\n

      1. Before the break, show the date and ask C’est quand, No\u00ebl ?<\/span> The class answers: C’est le 25 d\u00e9cembre.<\/span><\/li>
      2. Show a photo of a r\u00e9veillon table. Pupils name what they see: des hu\u00eetres, une b\u00fbche\u2026<\/span><\/li>
      3. Ask Et au Royaume-Uni ?<\/span> One difference each: Au Royaume-Uni, on mange du Christmas pudding.<\/span><\/li>
      4. Teach one wish and use it at the door: Joyeux No\u00ebl !<\/span> Bonnes vacances !<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\n\n

        In January, a galette des rois makes a memorable first lesson back: the youngest pupil hides under the desk and calls out C’est pour qui ?<\/span> for each slice. Frangipane contains almonds, so check your school’s allergy policy, and choose a large, non-choking charm or skip it.<\/p>\n\n

        Adapting to your class<\/h3>\n\n
        • A1<\/b>Name and wish: C’est No\u00ebl ! Joyeux No\u00ebl !<\/span><\/li>
        • A2<\/b>Describe customs in the present: En France, on mange une b\u00fbche de No\u00ebl.<\/span><\/li>
        • B1<\/b>Narrate a past Christmas: L’ann\u00e9e derni\u00e8re, on a f\u00eat\u00e9 No\u00ebl chez mes grands-parents.<\/span><\/li>
        • B2<\/b>Compare and give opinions: Je trouve que le r\u00e9veillon est plus convivial que notre repas du 25.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n

          At KS2, the galette and the P\u00e8re No\u00ebl are enough. At KS3, the perfect tense comes alive with J’ai re\u00e7u\u2026<\/span> At GCSE, Christmas is a classic topic for describing a past celebration and comparing traditions.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          R\u00e9veillon, b\u00fbche de No\u00ebl, santons, galette des rois: Christmas in France date by date, with vocabulary and greetings for class.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"menu_order":23,"template":"","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"Christmas in France: Traditions and Vocabulary | VocaDial","_seopress_titles_desc":"Christmas in France explained: Saint-Nicolas, the r\u00e9veillon, the b\u00fbche, the 13 desserts of Provence, the galette des rois, greetings and class ideas.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[],"_vd_topic":"noel","_vd_target":"fr","_vd_module":"","_vd_level":"A1\u2013B1","_vd_minutes":"8","_vd_card_word":"b\u00fbche\u2026","_vd_answer":"In France, Christmas centres on the r\u00e9veillon<\/span>, a long family dinner on the evening of 24 December, and on No\u00ebl<\/span>, 25 December, a public holiday. le P\u00e8re No\u00ebl<\/span> brings presents during the night of 24 to 25 December, and the meal ends with a b\u00fbche de No\u00ebl<\/span>. In Provence, thirteen desserts follow the Christmas Eve supper, and in January families share a galette des rois<\/span> for Epiphany.","_vd_faq":"[{\"q\":\"How is Christmas celebrated in France?\",\"a\":\"With the r\u00e9veillon<\\\/span>, a long family dinner on the evening of 24 December, presents from the P\u00e8re No\u00ebl during the night, a b\u00fbche de No\u00ebl<\\\/span> for dessert and, in January, the galette des rois<\\\/span>.\"},{\"q\":\"Do French people open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?\",\"a\":\"Both happen: some families open them after the r\u00e9veillon on the 24th, others on the morning of the 25th.\"},{\"q\":\"What do French people eat at Christmas?\",\"a\":\"Often foie gras, oysters or smoked salmon, turkey with chestnuts or capon, and a b\u00fbche de No\u00ebl<\\\/span>. In Provence, thirteen desserts follow the Christmas Eve supper.\"},{\"q\":\"What is the galette des rois?\",\"a\":\"A cake eaten in January for Epiphany, usually puff pastry with frangipane. Whoever finds the hidden charm, la f\u00e8ve<\\\/span>, is crowned king or queen.\"},{\"q\":\"How do you say Happy Christmas in French?\",\"a\":\"Joyeux No\u00ebl !<\\\/span> Also Bonnes f\u00eates !<\\\/span> and, for the New Year, Bonne ann\u00e9e !<\\\/span> or Meilleurs v\u0153ux !<\\\/span>\"},{\"q\":\"Is Boxing Day a holiday in France?\",\"a\":\"No. 26 December is a public holiday only in Alsace and Moselle, for Saint Stephen's Day (la Saint-\u00c9tienne<\\\/span>).\"}]","_vd_key":"noel-fr","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-92","vd_ressource","type-vd_ressource","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vocadial.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vd_ressource\/92","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vocadial.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vd_ressource"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vocadial.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/vd_ressource"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vocadial.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vd_ressource\/92\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vocadial.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=92"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}