Christmas in France

Saint Nicolas

• This is Saint Nicholas .He was the original Father Christmas, or ‘Père Noël’. St Nicholas brings the presents to children.

Le Père Noël

• In some parts of France Père Noël brings small gifts on St. Nicholas Eve (December 6) and visits again on Christmas Eve

Père Fouettard

• Père Noël travels with Père Fouettard who tells him how each child has behaved during the year.

• Good children receive presents. Naughty children get no gifts.

Decorations

• The idea of the Christmas tree came

from Alsace in the 14th century.

Strasbourg, Alsace

The Christmas Wreath

• This is called: ‘La couronne de bienvenue’ in French.

Le houx

Le gui :  Mistletoe

Le Calendrier de l'Avent

• With the Advent Calendar you can count down the days before Christmas. Behind each window or door, there are pictures or little chocolates or lollies.

Christmas Eve

• French children don't just leave out socks, they may also leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Père Noël.

Jour de Noël

• In the morning they also find that sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys have been left by Santa.

Santa’s reindeerThe reindeer are called:

Fougueux, (Dasher) Danseur,(Dancer) Fringant, (Prancer) Mégère, (Vixen)

Comète, (Comet) Cupidon, (Cupid) Tonnerre (Donner or Thunder)

Eclair (Blixen or Lightning).

Le traîneau = the sledge Un renne = a reindeer

La crèche

• Many French homes have a crib or crèche at Christmas time. They may also be seen in shops, town centres and churches.

Le réveillon

• On Christmas Eve it's time for "le réveillon" or the special Christmas meal. All the family eat together at this time.

Ready for the ‘réveillon’

Les canapés

Les vol au vents

Les crudités

Pâté de foie gras

Les Fruits de mer

• This is seafood.

La dinde et la salade

Le fromage:Cheese

• .

Dessert

• Still got some room?  Time for ‘les fruits’! . 

More desserts

• And there’s more!  Now it’s everyone’s favourite – la bûche de Noël. 

Les petits fours

Joyeux Noel!

•Et Bonne Année!