Have you ever wondered how Christmas is celebrated in France? From festive lights in Paris to long Christmas Eve dinners and iconic holiday desserts, French Christmas traditions combine food, family, and centuries-old customs. Here is a short introduction to Christmas traditions in France.
Christmas Lights and Holiday Shopping in France
Paris truly earns its nickname as the City of Lights during the Christmas season. The illumination of the Champs-Élysées Christmas lights marks the official start of the holidays and attracts both locals and visitors. Families stroll past decorated shop windows, admire giant Christmas trees in major department stores like the Grands Magasins, and visit traditional Christmas markets across Paris.
French Christmas Food and Holiday Dining Traditions
Once Christmas presents are bought and beautifully wrapped, food becomes the main focus for locals. Many start reserving or pre-purchasing traditional festive items such as foie gras, salmon, and poultry for their Christmas tables.
"Those who truly know their food often choose an AOP Bresse white chicken, a prized French delicacy with a history dating back to the 1600s and raised exclusively in the small region of Bresse in eastern France." - Adriana Garin, LivTours France Regional ManagerPopular French Christmas desserts include the bûche de Noël (Christmas log) and marrons glacés (glazed chestnuts). Every year, pastry chefs and chocolatiers compete to create the most delicious and beautifully designed Christmas logs, making them a true holiday centerpiece. Wine is essential at the Christmas table, and some families even enjoy a glass of Cognac or Armagnac, a local brandy traditionally served after a long and generous meal.
Réveillon de Noël: The French Christmas Eve Dinner
The Réveillon de Noël is the traditional French Christmas Eve meal. The term comes from veiller, meaning “to stay awake.” Traditionally, families ate lightly before Midnight Mass, then gathered afterward for a long, generous meal that lasted into the early hours of Christmas Day.
Today, attending church is no longer essential, but the spirit of the Réveillon remains the same: a festive and abundant dinner shared together.
A traditional French Christmas dinner generally follows a set structure, even though the specific dishes may vary. Several factors influence what families serve, including budget, especially with rising prices, and location, as many regions have their own specialties. Personal background also plays a role. While Christmas is a Christian holiday, it is widely celebrated beyond Christianity, and food traditions can differ depending on cultural origins, such as Mediterranean or Middle Eastern influences.
A traditional French Christmas dinner usually begins with seafood such as oysters and smoked salmon, or perhaps foie gras. The main dish may include turkey, goose or lobster, followed by the iconic “buche de Noël”, or “Yule log”.
Père Noël and Christmas Gifts in France
Père Noël, the French version of Santa Claus, brings gifts to children either on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, depending on family tradition. French children place their shoes or slippers by the fireplace or under the Christmas tree, hoping they will be filled with presents .It is not in the national culture to leave milk and biscuits for Father Christmas! Every child who writes a letter to Père Noël (Father Christmas) receives a reply by postcard! Since 1962, France has had a law stipulating that any letter to Santa must be responded to, bringing joy to thousands of children each year.
La Fête des Rois and La Galette des Rois
Christmas celebrations in France continue into January with La Fête des Rois, also known as Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day on January 6th, families share a Galette des Rois: a sweet cake (or brioche in the South) with a hidden fève (bean). Whoever finds it becomes king or queen for the day, wearing a paper crown.
From sparkling lights and festive meals to crowns and postcards from Santa, Christmas in France is filled with warmth, flavor, and family traditions that extend well beyond December 25th. Whether you visit during the holidays or celebrate at home, French Christmas traditions offer something truly magical.
What’s your favorite Christmas tradition from your country?