Christmas in France.
French creche / santons.
"Around late mid December most French homes put up a creche or a nativity scene, which has more importance than the Christmas tree. The creche is a collection of little harden clay figures called santons or "little saints."
"An extensive tradition has evolved around the santons which are made by craftsmen in the south of France. The "SANTONNIER" creates the santons from molds that have been the same since the eighteenth century. The santons are hand painted. Throughout December santons are sold at annual Christmas fairs in Marseille, Aubage, Aix and surrounding area of Provence.
(Buche de Noel, individual ones from the local bakery.)
(Traditional French Christmas fare.)
(Most French people give Chocolates to those they love at Christmas.)
The Christmas tree has never been particularly popular in France, and though the use of the Yule log has faded, the French make a traditional Yule log-shaped cake called the buche de Noel, which means "Christmas Log." The cake, among other food in great abundance is served at the grand feast of the season, which is called Le réveillon (le Réveillon (from the verb réveiller, to wake up or revive. Le Réveillon is a symbolic awakening to the meaning of Christ's birth) is a supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The menu for the meal varies according to regional culinary tradition. In Alsace, goose is the main course, in Burgundy it is turkey with chestnuts, in Provence it is the thirteen desserts, and the Parisians feast upon oysters and pate de foie gras. Of course all of the regions serve a bit of everything mention, plus wine and champagne. This late supper, is the main meal of the season and of the year.
(Skinny Pere Noel)
French children receive gifts from Pere Noel who travels with his stern disciplinarian companion Pere Fouettard. Pere Fouettard reminds Pere Noel of just how each child has behaved during the past year. In some parts of France Pere Noel brings small gifts on St. Nicholas Eve (December 6) and visits again on Christmas. In other places it is le petit Jesus who brings the gifts. Generally adults wait until New Year's Day to exchange their gifts. (Christmas from around the World.)
Gifts are not generally placed under the tree, and usually only one or a very few are exchanged.
After Réveillon, it's customary to leave a candle burning in case the Virgin Mary passes by."
More French Christmas traditions and photos to come in the next few days…
If there is something you want to see or know about Christmas in France please let me know in the comment section.
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