Festive Similarities & Differences
Every year on both sides of the Atlantic, the dark days of late November give way to festive lights, parades, warm holiday windows, carefully decorated trees, and, on the 24th and 25th of December, tables laden with abundant treats, from hearty dishes to delectable desserts. Christmas is celebrated not only as a religious holiday for many, but as a cultural effort to bring light to the darkness and warmth to the heart. It’s a time for communities and families to come together around special, elaborate rituals and confront the longest nights of the year with a sense of hope, cheer, and festivity.
And while there are many similarities between how Christmas is celebrated in France and the US/North America, there are also some delightful differences. Learning about how the French embrace the festive season can open up your heart and mind – and perhaps inspire you to create your own French-style Christmas table or dish at home!
Pre-Christmas Rituals and Décor
As the holiday season approaches, both France and North America transform into magical winter wonderlands, each with its own unique traditions. Streets, trees, and iconic buildings like department stores and town halls in cities such as Paris and New York glow with festive lights, filling the chilly evenings with warmth and joy.
In France, pre-Christmas traditions take a slightly different turn. French children are often enchanted by the intricate, animated window displays at renowned department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, especially in Paris. These windows are more than just decorations—they are miniature stories brought to life, captivating both the young and the young at heart. As in North America, children in France also write letters to Santa Claus, or Père Noël, sharing their wishes and dreams for the holiday.
One of the most cherished traditions in France is the Christmas market, which comes alive in late November. These bustling markets, with their charming wooden chalets, offer something for everyone. Adults can savor a steaming cup of spiced vin chaud (mulled wine) or enjoy regional delicacies like crêpes and roasted chestnuts, while children delight in activities such as ice skating, snowparks, and festive games. Originating in the Alsace region with its Franco-German heritage, Christmas markets now grace city squares across the country, from Strasbourg to Paris and beyond. They are a feast for the senses, offering an array of handmade gifts, local artisanal products, and heartwarming experiences that bring families and communities together.
Local traditions
Many pre-Christmas rituals in France are deeply rooted in regional traditions, some dating back to the Middle Ages. In Provence, the tradition of la crèche (Christmas nativity scene) takes center stage. These mangers are often decorated with santons, small handcrafted figurines made of terracotta or clay that depict not only biblical characters but also local villagers, tradespeople, and traditional Provençal scenes, adding a touch of regional charm to the holiday.
In Lyon, the Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights) on December 8th is a beloved event. Locals place lit candles in their windows as a tribute to the Virgin Mary, and the city comes alive with spectacular light displays organized by local authorities. This ritual originated in the Middle Ages during a time of plague, when it was believed that Mary’s protection could ward off illness.
Finally, while the sapin de Noël (Christmas tree) is a cherished tradition in France, it holds a similar importance to that seen in North America, especially for families with children. French households often decorate their trees with care, creating a festive centerpiece in their homes. In addition, many enjoy visiting public displays of grand, elaborately decorated Christmas trees, such as those in Parisian department stores or in front of iconic landmarks like Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Celebrating on Christmas Eve vs. Christmas Day
One major difference between Christmas traditions in France and North America lies in the timing of the main celebrations.
In North America, Christmas Eve is often a quieter affair, with the main festivities, gift exchanges, and family gatherings taking place on Christmas Day. In France, however, le Réveillon de Noël (Christmas Eve) is a cherished time for families, even those who are more distant, to reunite and strengthen their bonds. This evening often centers around a festive meal, which can be either grand or intimate depending on tradition, followed by the magic of midnight.
While midnight mass remains a popular custom, it is most often attended by older generations rather than younger ones. For many, regardless of religious practice, the mass offers a moment of reflection and tranquility in the midst of the celebrations.
As in North America, French children eagerly await the arrival of le Père Noël, who delivers gifts under the Christmas tree. In rural regions, for those fortunate enough to still have a working fireplace, the tradition of lighting a Christmas log adds a warm and convivial atmosphere to the celebrations, creating a cozy refuge in the heart of winter.
On Christmas Eve in Provence, locals, often led by town or church officials, gather around tables decked with the “13 desserts of Christmas.” This delicious and eye-catching tradition occurs at the end of the “gros souper”, after which Provençals attend midnight mass. The mass features the “descente des bergers”(shepherds’ descent) intertwined with traditional Provençal songs, bringing to life the much-loved “pastorales”. Upon returning from the festivities, everyone gathers to enjoy the 13 desserts—a cherished tradition that continues to this day.
While some families exchange a few gifts on Christmas Eve in France, children typically open their presents on Christmas morning, much like in North America. However, rather than stockings stuffed with treats and games, French children find gifts under the tree left by le Père Noël and his magical workshop. And of course, adults exchange presents with one another as well.
Many French families enjoy a second feast on Christmas Day—a festive lunch served in the afternoon, bringing loved ones together for a memorable culinary celebration.
What’s on The Table: Main Courses
Finally, there are some significant differences in the sorts of typical dishes and festive Christmas treats enjoyed on either side of the Atlantic (with some overlap and shared customs, of course).
While in North America, and especially the US and Canada, Christmas feasts tend to center around plates heaped high with roast turkey or ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and candied carrots, in France it’s more traditional to enjoy a Christmas meal in several separate courses, each course paired with wine.
In France, you’d typically start with a more casual aperitif– often a kir royal., which is a glass of champagne topped with an alcoholic fruit syrup called crème de cassis or crème de mûre. Nibbles generally accompany the drink.
Once everyone takes their places at the formal table, the first course is served. Fresh oysters served with toasted or fresh bread and butter is a common first course, as is foie gras and salmon toasts.
Next, the main course is a bit more fluid, and can range to roasted lamb served with vegetables, to whole fish, shellfish such as scallops, roasted poultry (most frequently goose, ducklings, guineau fowls, or other “special” varieties), often accompanied by a rich sauce, perhaps with morel mushrooms, or game cooked in a concentrated, red-wine based sauce. Roasted vegetables, especially buttery mashed potatoes, chestnuts and mushrooms, are popular. Fresh bread and wine are always available in abundance.
Before dessert, a cheese course is often enjoyed, featuring a mix of cheese made from cow, sheep, and goat’s milk.
Christmas Desserts
Finally, no Christmas feast would be complete without one or more desserts to mark the occasion. In the US and Canada, butter-crust pies or crumbles are popular, especially apple, mincemeat, and lemon meringue. Christmas cookies are often consumed throughout the day (or even in the days running up to Christmas).
In France, you’ll typically find other sorts of desserts entirely. The most popular among these is the bûche de Noël (Yule log), which is an elaborately decorated, rolled genoise sponge cake fashioned to resemble a wooden log, with regard to the one previously mentioned. Marzipan or sugar mushrooms, real green branches withberries (or ones made with icing) and chestnuts are common decorations.
The bûche, a modern adaptation of the tradition of lighting a real Christmas log to ward off evil spirits before Christmas, is now so popular and widespread in France that you can find it in countless flavors– from simple vanilla or chocolate to rum, lemon, pistachio, and chestnut-passionfruit. It also comes in many creative forms. Some of France’s most talented patissiers compete every year to come up with the most original bûche, many so avant-garde that they no longer resemble logs at all! It can be great fun to explore the shops and bakeries of cities like Paris, Nice, and Strasbourg in search of the perfect, most interesting Christmas log.
In addition to Christmas logs, there are numerous other typical French desserts served for the occasion.
In Provence, the 13 desserts de Noël are a beloved holiday tradition, symbolizing Jesus and his 12 apostles. These festive treats vary by town but typically include:
- Dried fruits and nuts (almonds, raisins, hazelnuts, etc.), representing the “four beggars” and their symbolic ties to religious orders.
- Seasonal fresh fruits, such as oranges, mandarins, apples, and pears.
- Nougat, both white and dark, adding sweetness to the table.
- Fougasse (la pompe), a fragrant olive oil flatbread flavored with orange in this sweet version for Christmas
- Candied fruits and regional sweets like calissons or oreillettes, offering delicate, melt-in-the-mouth flavors.
Beautifully arranged on white-tablecloth banquet tables, these desserts are traditionally left out for three days after Christmas—until the 27th of December—so they can be enjoyed throughout the festive period.
Finally, in places like Alsace, typical Christmas treats take strong German cultural cues. The Kugelhopf (also spelled Kuglopf or Gugelhopf) is a springy yeasted cake laced with currants, raisins or other dried fruit, and flavored with lemon, sometimes rhum, and almonds. Similar to an Italian pannetone, it is especially enjoyed at Christmas. Households in Alsace also traditionally make butter-based cookies known as bredeles. These can come in many forms and flavors, from gingerbread to jam-filled butter cookies.
To conclude, while there are numerous differences between how the end-of-year holidays are feted in France and North America, what brings them together in all cases is the spirit of hope, joy, and warmth…
Celebrate with us
If you’re interested in embarking on a November or December getaway to France to take a whirl through its magical Christmas markets, experience the 13 desserts of Provence, or see Paris, Normandy, the Loire or Strasbourg lit with twinkling lights and decorations, get in touch with us. We’ll craft the perfect year-end tour for you.
