21 French Christmas Traditions You’ll Love Discovering and How They Celebrate the Festive Period in France

I love Christmas, and in our household, we go all out with three trees, one in the lounge, one in the kitchen (the real one), and another on the landing. My first French Christmas, nearly ten years ago, was an eye-opener as Christmas is a little different in France than what I’m used to. For a start, food is the star of the show, not the presents.

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But part of the fun of living somewhere new is discovering everything there is to know about your new home, which includes what happens during the festive period. So, as any good writer does, I’ve spent quite a bit of time doing my research on the facts and traditions about Christmas in France. And there are quite a few.

The French do love their traditions and festivals, and at this time of year, there are plenty to choose from. My favorite is the 13 desserts —and yes, I did say 13! So what else is there on the list, and how many did you already know?

A tall Xmas Tree lit at night and reflected in the square in front of it with lit buildings behind

Fun Facts and Traditions about Christmas in France

We all have Christmas traditions that make Christmas what it is. For me I love to watch certain movies, like Love Actually, Home Alone 1 & 2, and, of course, Miracle on 34th Street, the original version.

And in France, a festive favorite movie is the 1979 film Le père Noël est une ordure (Santa is a stinker).

But what about all those other quintessentially ‘French Customs and traditions’ that make Christmas in France what it is?

It’s time to reveal 21 of the best French Christmas customs and traditions.

Father Christmas in his red coat and hat with white fur trim carring a sack of presents with a christmas tree next to him

21 French Christmas Traditions and Customs

No. 1 The Eve of St. Nicholas

The Eve of St. Nicholas is at the heart of French folklore, especially in regions like Alsace and Lorraine.

This celebration occurs on the night of December 5th, leading into St. Nicholas’ Day on December 6th.

The story of St. Nicholas is a blend of history and legend. He’s known as the protector of children, and on the Eve of St. Nicholas, children place their shoes by the fireplace or window, eagerly awaiting treats from the saint himself.

Christmas Cookies. Some are snow flakes, there is a gingerbread house ad one with Saint Nicholas on it

In towns like Nancy and Strasbourg, the Eve of St. Nicholas is a big deal.

They have parades, puppet shows, and, of course, the arrival of St. Nicholas in grand fashion.

Churches hold special services, and it’s not uncommon to hear carolers singing hymns dedicated to the saint.

No. 2 The Saint Nicholas Day Parade

On December 6th, the day after the Eve of St. Nicholas, is the Saint Nicholas Day Parade, popular in northeastern France, where the event is a huge part of the holiday season.

The parade is a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, and community spirit with floats, musicians, dancers, and, of course, St. Nicholas himself, often riding a donkey, handing out sweets and treats.

No. 3 La Crèche – the Nativity scene

In many countries, a nativity scene typically includes figures of the Holy Family, the Three Wise Men, shepherds, and angels.

But in France, the crèche is a whole miniature world filled with people and things that represent everyday life.

In the tiny village of Castelmoron D’Albert in the Gironde in South West France, villagers display crèches in the windows of their homes, made from all sorts of materials, from wood, paper, and stone to more creative varieties using paper, toys, and even eggs.

It’s a tradition that’s been going on for over 20 years now and runs through till Epiphany.

Nativity scene at night in a church at Christmas

La Crèche Vivante

The “Crèche Vivante,” or Living Nativity, takes the tradition of the crèche to a whole new level.

It’s as if you’re stepping into a life-sized nativity scene, complete with real people and sometimes even live animals.

It’s often a community-led event, with local volunteers dressing as the Holy Family, shepherds, Wise Men, and various village characters.

It’s usually staged in public squares, churches, or even open fields. The setting is designed to resemble a Bethlehem stable, and the atmosphere is one of reverence and awe.

The tableau often remains silent, allowing visitors to absorb the scene and reflect on the Christmas story.

However, in some versions, there might be a short play or narration, sometimes incorporating local traditions and folklore.

No. 4 Santons de Noël

These are miniature works of art, each one telling a story that goes beyond the biblical narrative of Christmas. They often form part of the Crèche, or nativity scene, and come from Provence.

“Santons” translates to “little saints,” and these clay figurines are handcrafted with an extraordinary level of detail. The art of santon-making is a skill often passed down through generations.

Artisans take immense pride in their work, carefully moulding and painting each figure to capture not just the likeness but also the essence of the character it represents.

What sets the Provençal crèche apart is its inclusion of everyday villagers. From the baker with his fresh baguettes to the fisherman holding his catch, these figures bring a slice of Provençal life to the nativity scene.

It’s a way to make the Christmas story relatable and rooted in local culture.

No. 5 Midnight Mass

Although I didn’t live in France as a kid, I remember going to Midnight Mass in the UK and loving it. There was something so magical with all the candles, not to mention being able to stay up that late, which was always exciting. For our family, it marked the start of Christmas, although we still went to church on Christmas Day.

In France, Midnight Mass is very popular and something worth experiencing if you’re here.

May and Joseph with the baby Jesus in a Crib as life size statues

No. 6 Putting Jesus in the Crèche at Midnight

In France, placing the baby Jesus figurine in the crèche at midnight marks the official start of Christmas. Often, the youngest family member is given the honor, symbolising the innocence and purity associated with the birth of Christ.

This ritual usually takes place just before the family heads to Midnight Mass.

For children, it’s an early introduction to the spiritual aspects of the holiday presented in a meaningful way.

No. 7 Le Père Noël – Santa Claus

Like many other countries, France has its own version of Santa Claus, and he’s called Père Noël. While Le Père Noël may share a global reputation with Santa Claus, the French iteration of this beloved character has its own set of customs and stories.

For instance, instead of a sleigh pulled by reindeer, he rides a donkey named Gui.

A picture of Saint NIcholas on a donkey with a basket of presents

No. 8 Le Père Fouettard

Often described as the dark counterpart to St. Nicholas, Le Père Fouettard is a figure of admonition. While St. Nicholas rewards well-behaved children with gifts and treats, Le Père Fouettard is said to punish naughty children.

Dressed in dark clothing and sometimes carrying a whip or a bundle of sticks, he serves as a somewhat scary reminder to children to be on their best behavior.

According to folklore, Le Père Fouettard was originally an innkeeper who captured and killed three children. St. Nicholas resurrected the children, and, in some versions of the tale, Le Père Fouettard repents and becomes St. Nicholas’s companion.

It’s common to see both characters together at the Saint Nicholas parades.

No. 9 Sapin de Noël – Christmas Trees

The tradition of decorating a fir tree originated in the Alsace region in the 16th century, but is now, like everywhere else in the world, a big Christmas symbol.

The tree is usually put up at the beginning of Advent, and while some families opt for a real tree, artificial ones are also common, especially in urban areas.

A Christmas Tree at night all ilt up in a lounge room with a fireplace on the left. There are boxes wrpaaed in brown paper under the tree.

Ornaments include the usual culprits, baubles, stars, tinsel, and lights, but you’ll also find some uniquely French touches. For instance, it’s not uncommon to see intricate paper roses in Provence or handcrafted wooden ornaments in the mountain regions.

The tree is usually topped with a star or an angel, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem or the angel who announced Jesus’s birth.

And in some regions, it’s traditional to place small gifts or candies on the tree branches.

No. 10 Le Secrétariat du Père Noël

Close to my home in the Bordeaux Wine Region lies Libourne, where you’ll find the Father Christmas Post Office. Established in 1962, the “Secretary of Father Christmas” role, or Le Secrétariat du Père Noël, was introduced.

At Libourne’s La Poste, a dedicated group of 60 secretaries, essentially Père Noël’s elves, respond to the influx of Christmas letters sent by children across France.

Regardless of their origin or how they’re addressed, each letter is legally required to receive a response.

A group of workers dressed in Santa hats working and sorting through letters addressed to Pere Noel

The tradition has evolved over time, transitioning from handwritten letters to emails, yet every single correspondence gets a reply.

Although digital communication via the interactive website has somewhat overshadowed traditional letters, they still arrive in the thousands.

Today, the service handles an astounding 1.3 million-plus letters and emails, far surpassing similar initiatives in other countries.

No. 11 No Christmas Stocking

Instead of hanging stockings by the fireplace, French children place their shoes or slippers near the fireplace or under the Christmas tree.

The next morning, if they’ve been good, they’ll find their shoes filled with small gifts, candies, and sometimes even money.

Two boots filled with gifts from Saint Nicholas for Christmas in France

No. 12 Le Réveillon

In France, the main celebration unfolds on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day and is commonly known as Le Réveillon.

Believe me, the French spare no expense when it comes to this festive meal. It starts around 6 pm and can last for several hours with quite a few courses. Last time I attended a French Christmas Eve meal, we had seven courses with a different wine to go with each one.

A basket of freshly cut French bread sat on a wooden platter with a big slab of pate and some pickles with a bit lit candle behind

As you probably know, the French savor their food and like to take their time, so everything happens at a leisurely pace, with each course spread out so you don’t get too full.

Every region has its favorite dishes, but you’ll usually see oysters, foie gras, escargots, and, of course, champagne on most menus.

The planning starts weeks in advance, not unlike our big Christmas dinner, and has been one of the highlights of the festive period in France for me.

No. 13 Les Étrennes – New Year’s Eve Gifts

Les Étrennes is a French tradition of gift-giving on New Year’s Eve. The practice dates back to Roman times and has evolved over the centuries.

Originally, these gifts were branches of sacred trees given for good luck. Today, the tradition has expanded to include small gifts of money or tokens of appreciation, often given to service workers like your local postman or woman, pompiers, or rubbish collectors as a thank-you for their year-round efforts.

Our post lady usually brings around calendars, and in return, we make a donation. We usually donate €50 to the cause, which might seem extortionate for a calendar, but if you want to ensure good service throughout the year, trust me, it’s worth it.

Plus, she’s lovely, and always gives our dog Lottie dog biscuits and makes a fuss of her.

No. 14 La Chandeleur

La Chandeleur, also known as Crêpe Day, is celebrated on February 2nd, 40 days after Christmas. Rooted in both pagan and Christian customs, La Chandeleur was originally a day for venerating the Virgin Mary. Over time, however, the focus shifted toward welcoming spring.

When it comes to food, it is all about crêpes. Why crêpes? Well, their round shape and golden hue symbolize the sun, teasing the upcoming spring.

Some even try their luck at flipping a crêpe while holding a coin, believing it will bring prosperity.

A giant crepe on a plate with the word Chandeleur written in chocolate on it with some raspberries and ice cream on top

Christmas Food Traditions in France

No. 15 Les Treize Desserts – The 13 Desserts

Originating from Provence, this tradition is hugely popular, especially amongst those with a sweet tooth, which includes me.

It involves setting up a table with 13 different desserts, representing Jesus and the 12 Apostles at the Last Supper, and is usually served after Midnight Mass.

Some people go all out on this, and the first time I witnessed this, it took my breath away. For someone who loves desserts, I’d died and gone to heaven.

Traditionally, you’re likely to find a range of items like fruits, nuts, and sweets.

A table showing the 13 desserts of Provence at Christmas

The four “mendiants” are a must: almonds, raisins, figs, and hazelnuts, symbolizing the four monastic orders. Alongside these, you’ll typically see nougat, quince paste, and various local treats.

A specialty dessert you might see is the “calisson d’Aix,” an almond-paste candy from Aix-en-Provence. I think this, along with No. 16, Bûche de Noël, is possibly my favorite.

No. 16 Bûche de Noël – Christmas Log

Also known as the Yule Log, it is traditionally enjoyed during Christmas Eve celebrations.

In the UK, we simply call it a chocolate log, and I remember making it in one of our first practical cookery lessons at school.

For those of you who aren’t familiar, it’s a sponge cake rolled with cream and covered in chocolate or coffee-flavored buttercream, and it’s designed to resemble an actual log.

A Christmas chocolate log sat on a white plate and decorated with icing sugar with a little santa on the top

The history of the Bûche de Noël dates back to the ancient Celtic tradition of burning a real log at the winter solstice.

With the advent of Christianity, the practice evolved, ultimately finding its way to the French dining table, and it now forms a part of my French Christmas traditions.

No. 17 Les Papillotes De Noel

Originating in Lyon, Papillotes De Noel are chocolate- or candied-fruit-filled treats wrapped in chocolate paper and often contain a small note or quote inside.

I love this tradition as it’s so romantic. It dates back to the 18th century, inspired by a young assistant chocolatier who wanted to impress his sweetheart.

He wrapped sweets in love notes and sent them to her, and voila, the concept caught on and spread across France.

A packet of chocolates for Christmas with an exanple of each of the six types of chocolates iside

No. 18 Pain d’épices – Gingerbread

I don’t think Christmas is Christmas without gingerbread. When my daughter was young, we used to make gingerbread houses and had so much fun doing it.

In France, you’ll see gingerbread everywhere in the Christmas markets.

Traditionally made with rye flour, honey, and a medley of spices like anise, ginger, and cinnamon, it can be traced back to ancient times.

But it became especially popular in France during the Middle Ages when the spice trade was booming.

A Christmas stall at the market filled with gingerbread

No. 19 Vin Chaud – Mulled Wine

Another favorite at the Christmas markets in France is Vin Chaud, filling the air with an aromatic blend of spices like cinnamon and cloves.

Mulled wine has ancient origins, initially popularized by the Romans as a way to warm red wine during cold weather.

One of my favorite things to do when I’m at a Christmas market is to get some gingerbread and dip it into my vin chaud.

A vat of mulled wine and a bowl with an orange, aniseed and people in the background

No. 20 La Galette des Rois

La Galette des Rois, or the King’s Cake, marks the celebration of Epiphany on January 6th, rounding off the extended Christmas festivities in France.

The cake is made from puff pastry and often filled with frangipane, a creamy almond paste.

A key element of the tradition is the “fève,” a small figurine hidden inside the cake.

A pastry based cake sat on a doilie on a glass plate with a toy gold crown sat on top of it.

The lucky person who finds it in their slice gets to be the king or queen for the day, complete with a paper crown.

Although the tradition is rooted in Christian history, commemorating the visit of the Three Wise Men to the infant Jesus, it has broad appeal across French society today.

Over time, the cake has seen various forms and flavors, but the thrill of finding the “fève” remains constant.

No. 21 Marché de Noel Christmas Markets

There’s nothing quite like the festive charm of a French Christmas market to get you into the holiday spirit. These markets, known as “Marchés de Noël,” are a long-standing tradition in France, dating back to the late Middle Ages.

They’re not just places to shop; they’re full-on sensory experiences. Imagine the aroma of mulled wine filling the air and the twinkling lights illuminating artisanal crafts, providing the perfect backdrop.

It’s a tradition deeply rooted in local culture, offering a unique blend of culinary delights, handcrafted gifts, and a dash of that unmistakable French flair.

A cathedral lit up with a christmas market set up in front of it at night

Top 5 Christmas Markets to Visit

Strasbourg

Why it’s special: Known as the “Capital of Christmas,” Strasbourg hosts France’s oldest and most famous Christmas market.

What to expect: Wooden chalets brimming with ornaments, Alsatian treats, and a towering Christmas tree that’s a sight to behold.

A busy Xmas market in Strasbourg with people in the square in the evening

Colmar

Why it’s special: Colmar Christmas Market offers a fairy-tale setting with its half-timbered houses and canals.

What to expect: Five distinct markets, each with its own character, offering everything from local crafts to gourmet food.

An evening Christmas scene outside in a French village with a river running through it and old half-timbered buildings either side

Lille

Why it’s special: Lille’s Christmas market is famous for its 18-meter-high Ferris wheel that dominates the main square.

What to expect: A wide array of regional products and Russian crafts, thanks to its twinning with a Russian city.

A ferris wheel and Christmas Tree set against some old buildings in France against a grey sky

Carcassonne

Why it’s special: Set within a medieval fortress, Carcassonne’s market offers a unique, historical backdrop.

What to expect: Artisanal crafts, regional delicacies, and a skating rink for some frosty fun.

Three wooden chalets at a Christmas market in France with snowyrooves at night

Reims

Why it’s special: Known as the “Christmas Capital of Champagne,” Reims offers a sparkling experience.

What to expect: Champagne tasting, of course, along with gourmet food stalls and handcrafted gifts.

A wooden chalet selling mulled wine at the Reims Christmas Market

Handy French Christmas Vocabulary

Joyeux Noël: Merry Christmas
Bonne Année: Happy New Year
Réveillon de Noël: Christmas Eve Dinner
Marché de Noël: Christmas Market
Père Noël: Santa Claus
Calendrier de l’Avent: Advent Calendar
Cadeau de Noël: Christmas Gift
Carte de Noël: Christmas Card
Étoile de Noël: Christmas Star

As we wrap up this journey through France’s holiday traditions, I think you’ll agree that Christmas in France is a tapestry of delicious foods, historic rituals, and communal celebrations.

Each region adds its unique flavor, from the lavish 13 Desserts in Provence to the twinkling Christmas markets of Alsace.

So whether you’re sipping Vin Chaud in a bustling market or discovering a hidden “fève” in your slice of Galette des Rois, you now know the wonderful traditions that make up a French Christmas.