Christmas in France is a time of enchantment and joy, filled with centuries-old traditions that bring families together in celebration. I just love spending Christmas in France and learning all about French Christmas traditions as I partake in the holiday season with my French friends. From the twinkling lights adorning the streets of Paris to the delectable aromas wafting from bustling outdoor markets, this magical season takes on a uniquely French flair. From cherished French Christmas traditions like le Réveillon to the beloved figure of Père Noël, here are 17 French Christmas traditions that make Christmas in France truly special.
17 French Christmas Traditions
1. The Store Windows In Paris
Store windows at Christmas time can make even the grouchiest of humbugs find some joy in the season! Wander through Paris and the elegant and festive window displays will get you immediately into the Christmas spirit.
The department stores get this French Christmas tradition started in early November. Be sure to visit Le Bon Marché, Galeries Lafayette, BMV, la Samaritaine and Le Printemps. You won’t be disappointed. They pull out all the stops and create elegant and entertaining Christmas window displays for all ages to enjoy. Don’t stop at the sidewalk, step inside amidst glittering decorations and twinkling lights. You might get a little Christmas shopping done too!
One of the most marvellous Christmas traditions in Paris is the enormous Christmas tree in the centre of Galeries Lafayette. Soaring heavenward to the Art Deco dome, the magnificent tree is decorated differently each year. Stand in awe and wait for the Christmas carollers to start. It is truly magical.
Get an insider’s view of Paris at Christmas time on this walking tour or this three-hour bike tour. (Hint- wear gloves!)
2. Advent Calendars
Advent calendars, as in many countries, are a French tradition at Christmas. Look for them on sale in November. Will you choose one with chocolate behind each door? Who can’t wait to open up the first door on December 1st?
Where To Stay In Paris At Christmas
Hotels in Paris at Christmas book up quickly. Book well in advance.
Affordable Hotels: 13 Affordable Hotels in Paris
Boutique Hotels: These fabulous Boutique hotels in the Marais.
Paris Hotels:
- Hôtel la Comtesse with an Eiffel Tower view
- Chouchou Hotel with an eclectic vibe
- Hôtel de Joséphine Bonaparte in the heart of the Marais
- Hôtel des Académies et des Arts in Saint-Germain des Prés (the left bank)
Prefer staying in an apartment? Here are some fabulous Paris Apartments:
- Portrait of Splendour literally filled with portraits, in the Marais
- Joyau de Marais
- The Panthéon Pageantry
3. Sparkling Christmas Lights
What is the Christmas season without Christmas lights? This Christmas tradition in France sparkles! In Paris, twinkling garlands and lights are strung across many streets. For fabulous light displays, walk up the Champs Elysées, saunter over to Place Vendôme, stroll Avenue Montaigne and stand at the corner of rue Cambon and rue Saint Honoré. These Christmas light displays dazzle. There are plenty more magical Christmas lights in Paris! Here is where to find the best Christmas lights in Paris.
This open bus tour takes you past the dazzling Paris Christmas lights!
How About A Weekend In Lyon?
If one of your favourite Christmas traditions is admiring glorious light displays, make time to visit the Festival of Lights in Lyon. This French Christmas tradition started in 1643 when the Lyonnais lit thousands of candles in their windows to thank the Virgin Mary. The Fête des Lumières in Lyon runs from December 7 to 10, 2023.
4. Write A Letter To Père Noël
In 1962, it became French law that any letter written to Santa (Pére Noël) would be answered. This very popular French Christmas tradition delivers a lot of joy to children in the form of a postcard arriving in the mail. If you happen to be in France with young ones, join in this most special of French Christmas traditions and mail your letters to Pére Noël at:
Père Noêl au Pôle Nord – 33500 Libourne – France
Since 1997, Pére Noêl can also be reached by email at père-noel.laposte.fr
Here are 19 magical things to do that will make your Christmas in Paris unforgettable.
5. Le Pére Fouettard
Speaking of Père Noël, it is essential to mention the French Christmas tradition or legend involving Le Père Fouettard. Le Père Fouettard is the evil counterpart to Saint Nicolas, the Patron Saint of Children. While Saint Nicolas would be handing out gifts to the “good” children, le Père Fouettard (the whipping father) would be punishing or giving coal to disobedient children. Ouf. If that wasn’t scary enough, he was described as being dressed in rags or an oversized black coat and carrying a rod or whip.
I can only imagine how well children must have behaved in order to avoid an encounter with le Père Fouettard.
6. The Christmas Markets
French Christmas traditions involve at least one afternoon spent at a Christmas market. There are many towns where little chalets are set up selling artisanal goods, local gourmet items, figurines for the nativity scene, and mulled wine.
The Christmas market in Strasbourg, known as the Christkindelsmärik, is the most famous of French Christmas markets. This French Christmas tradition was started in 1570. The Christmas market in Strasbourg draws approximately 2 million visitors a year. Will you stroll the chalets around the cathedral, munching on roasted chestnuts, from November 27 – December 27, 2024?
Can’t make it to a small town to experience this French Christmas tradition? Not to worry, Paris has fabulous Christmas markets to enjoy. Step into the magic of Christmas in Paris and stroll through the Christmas markets in the Jardin des Tuileries, Square Viviani, Place des Abbesses, Saint-Germain des Prés, and the Champ de Mars.
Read More | The Best Of the Paris Christmas Markets
7. French Holiday Traditions: A Christmas Tree
One of the French holiday traditions is putting up a sapin de Noël or Christmas tree. In Paris, getting a Christmas tree home to the apartment is a feat! This French Christmas tradition can be done in quite a few ingenious ways. Christmas trees are seen balanced on bicycles, pulled home in wagons or carried in pairs. The scene makes me smile every time.
Christmas traditions in France also include decorating the home with large bouquets of holly and loose pine boughs. Watch out the prices of the pine trees and boughs! Last year I asked the price of a simple pine bough and it was exorbitant. When I told the shopkeeper I was from Canada and the price was rather steep, she broke into giggles and said, “Well Madame, you can just walk into the woods and cut a branch.” Touché!
Read More | How about visiting the most famous Christmas Market in Strasbourg? It’s been going strong since 1570 and is the perfect day trip from Paris.
8. La Crèche
When chatting to my friends about traditions in France for Christmas, the nativity scene (la crèche) definitely holds significance. At the beginning of December, most families will create the crèche, some including a whole village scene. The crèche is decorated with small figurines or little Saints called “des santons.” Des santons, an artisanal tradition, are made of clay, spun glass or plaster and can be purchased at Christmas markets. These small figurines appear at the nativity scene in households year after year and are handed down through the generations.
The magical moment of this French Christmas tradition is placing Baby Jesus in the manger at midnight on December 24th, just as the Christmas story goes.
Read More | The essential things to know about Parisian culture.
9. Midnight Mass On December 24
I walked through the quiet streets, met one of the soldiers surrounding Eglise Saint-Sulpice wished him a “Joyeux Noël” and slipped into the huge church. Christmas carols were being sung and at midnight a long train of priests and altar boys made their way up the aisle swinging incense.
I followed along as best as I could, happy to participate in one of the French Christmas traditions in a magnificent, sacred space. When the priests left the chancel, I thought the service was over. Little did I know that they were in procession to lay Baby Jesus in the manger (la créche).
There are many services at the churches at Christmas time. The midnight mass I attended was indeed a full mass and when I crept out at 1:20 in the morning it was still going!
10. Christmas Traditions In France: Put Out A Shoe
This French Christmas tradition is what young children look forward to all season! At midnight on December 24, French children place a shoe under the Christmas tree or in front of the fireplace. Everyone’s hopes are high that gifts will be placed in the shoes by Père Noël.
As in other countries, a little snack is left for Papa Noël and a few carrots for the reindeer.
11. Le Réveillon de Noël
In France, the main Christmas meal is on December 24, known as Le Réveillon de Noël. Christmas Eve dinner in France isn’t just a meal; it’s a cherished ritual, a moment to revel in the pleasure of good company and exquisite cuisine, creating memories that linger.
The French savour each course of the Réveillon de Noël with an appreciation for gastronomy. Each course is discussed and well planned beforehand and when it arrives at the table, the French love to continue the discussion of the French delicacies set before them.
All of the courses of the Christmas dinner in France are accompanied by flowing champagne and wine that has been thoughtfully paired with the food. It is a joyous occasion with much laughter and indulgence!
Traditional French cuisine that make up the Christmas Eve feast may include the following:
- seafood platters including snails, clams, and succulent oysters (here’s how to eat oysters)
- rich foie gras
- capon or turkey stuffed with chestnuts
- vegetables – often buttery green beans and potatoes
- the cheese course (read about French cheeses)
After the Christmas dinner has been shared, Christmas presents are handed out to be unwrapped.
On holidays in Paris? This Christmas Eve Cabaret or this Lido Show will make for an unforgettable Christmas Eve! Or for the true gourmets, how about cooking Christmas dinner in a chef’s apartment?
12. Christmas In France: The Bûche de Noël
A traditional French Christmas always includes a Bûche de Noël as part of the December 24th feast. Given my love of French pâtisseries, the Yule Log gets a special write-up. This Christmas tradition in France is a sponge cake and buttercream roulade in the shape of a log. The frosting is chocolate and often scored to look like a log and sprinkled with confectioner’s sugar to resemble snow. A Bûche de Noël can be decorated with berries or marzipan holly.
For my first Christmas in Paris, I knew, without a doubt, that I would partake in this delicious part of French Christmas traditions. I purchased my Bûche de Noël at the fabulous pâtisserie Maison Mulot. It was the height of deliciousness… I’m definitely a fan of this French Christmas tradition!
13. 13 Christmas Desserts In France
Of all the French Christmas traditions, the thirteen desserts, (les treize desserts) cannot go unmentioned. This French Christmas tradition is followed in Provence in the South of France and has religious significance. The thirteen desserts represent Jesus Christ and the twelve apostles at the Last Supper.
Imagine eating THIRTEEN desserts after oysters, foie gras, turkey and cheese. It’s important that every person taste all thirteen desserts in order to have good luck for the coming new year but luckily, the desserts are laid out until December 27 which gives ample time to enjoy them all.
The thirteen desserts of this French Christmas tradition can vary locally and from family to family but often include nuts such as walnuts and hazelnuts, dried fruits including figs and grapes, fresh fruit such as tangerines, marzipan, nougat, and a sweet olive oil brioche called the Pompe à l’Huile. No wonder this Christmas tradition in France is known far and wide!
14. Les Papillotes de Noël
These little treats have been a cherished Christmas tradition in France for centuries. Not only are they delicious and visually appealing, but they also hold a surprise inside that adds an element of excitement to any festive gathering.
Unwrap the little colourful Papillote and find inside chocolate or nougat and a proverb or heartfelt message. Papillotes are enjoyed every year as part of the holiday traditions in France. They are shared on the table and also hung as decorations on the Christmas tree.
15. Christmas Day In France: December 25
On December 25 in France, the festivities continue. The main gathering is at noon for another family feast. You can be sure as French Christmas traditions dictate, that this gathering will include more oysters and be accompanied by plenty of champagne and wine.
16. French Christmas Traditions: New Year’s Eve
As the season goes on, French Christmas traditions spill into New Year’s celebrations. Traditionally, Christmas is very family-oriented and New Year’s Eve is for celebrating with friends. Another feast, plenty of champagne, mistletoe suspended here and there and dancing mark the evening’s festivities.
New Year’s Eve In Paris: How about getting the champagne flowing at the Moulin Rouge and a Seine River Cruise?
17. La Fête des Rois: Epiphany
The French celebrate Epiphany on January 6, when the Magi visited Baby Jesus, with a melt in your mouth pâtisserie. The Kings’ Cake or Galette des Rois, a puff pastry filled with frangipani, make a grand appearance just as the last Bûche de Noël leaves the shelf! Look for round golden cakes in the pâtisseries window topped with a golden crown.
In France with its culinary regional distinctions, there is a different Kings’ Cake in the south of France where the tradition is a brioche-style cake with candied fruit.
This grand finale to the season of French Christmas traditions involves playing a game to see who will be crowned king or queen. Read all about Galette des Rois here.
Conclusion: French Christmas Traditions
French Christmas traditions are a delightful blend of religious customs, festive decorations, and mouthwatering culinary indulgences. Every aspect of the holiday season in France is steeped in history and culture from setting up the nativity scene to the gathering around the Yule log. Christmas in France is an enchanting journey that captivates all your senses. Bonnes fêtes de Noël!
Until next time,
More Paris Info…
Where To Stay In Paris At Christmas Time:
Book in advance as Christmas is a busy time in Paris. Check out availability here.
Paris By Month:
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Where To Explore In Paris At Christmas Time:
If you love that village feel in Paris these areas sparkle during the festive season:
Montmarte feels like a small village. This post on Montmartre leads you to the most popular sites as well as some lesser-known places on the hill.
La Butte aux Cailles, tucked away in the 13th arrondissement, is another place in Paris that has retained its village-like charm. My article on La Butte aux Cailles will lead you to discover some of the area and its visually enticing street art.
Canal Saint-Martin is another place full of small restaurants, boutiques and plenty of character. Stroll the bridges of the canal under the chestnut trees and feel like a true Parisian. All the details on this “bobo” district are in this article on Canal Saint-Martin.
Gastronomy In Paris:
Read about where to find the best croissants in Paris. There are also plenty of café suggestions for the Marais area in this post: Tips from a Local. And if you are exploring the area around Canal Saint-Martin, here are the best places to stop for a bite or to find the fixings for a picnic.
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