10 French Christmas Traditions to Try This Holiday Season
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The holiday season is here, and you might be curious about what it’s like to celebrate Christmas in France. Many French Christmas traditions share similarities with customs around the world, but a few might just surprise you.
From food to festivities, there’s so much to discover about French holiday celebrations. The best part? You can easily bring these traditions into your own Christmas! I’ve included some simple tips to help you do just that. If you're dreaming of a French-inspired Christmas, here are ten magical traditions from France to inspire your holiday season.
1. Advent Calendars
Advent calendars are a beloved part of French Christmas traditions, like in many other countries.
French children look forward to each day in December, eagerly opening a door to discover a little surprise—usually a sweet treat or a small toy.
By late November, French grocery stores are stocked with advent calendars of all kinds—from luxe options to affordable ones, often featuring kids' favorite pop culture characters. Classic chocolate-filled calendars remain a favorite among kids, with brands like Kinder, Milka, and Lindt being the most popular.
If you’re searching for the best French advent calendars, be sure to check out my recent article, where I’ve rounded up some of the top picks for 2024!
2. Christmas Decorations
Most French people don’t go all out when it comes to decorating their home (inside or out) for Christmas. There's a simplicity that makes everything feel effortlessly festive.
Like in many countries, the Christmas tree is central to French holiday decor. It’s typically adorned with lights, tinsel, and ornaments. Some families prefer real trees, while others opt for artificial ones.
Unlike in the U.S., where decorations appear right after Thanksgiving, many French families wait until much closer to Christmas to start decorating. In fact, when I spent the holidays with my boyfriend’s family in Brittany, we didn’t put the tree up until Christmas Eve.
Some French homes are decorated with string lights, but the most extravagant displays are often found in town squares, where the streets are illuminated in festive colors.
Even the smallest village will often have Christmas decorations and lights draped over lampposts, trees, and buildings. Many towns will also display nativity scenes and put up a Christmas tree decorated with lights and ornaments.
In Paris, the Christmas lights along the Champs-Elysées are a spectacle, inaugurated by a celebrity each year. The department store window displays—les vitrines—are nothing short of extraordinary with puppets, animatronics, opulent decorations, artful lighting, designer clothes, jewelry, toys, and much more.
If you’re looking to decorate your home for Christmas comme les Français, be sure to explore my full guide for inspiration.
3. The Christmas Crèche
In France, a nativity scene, known as a crèche, holds a special place in holiday celebrations. The displays can be quite elaborate, featuring village scenes and many figurines in addition to Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus.
While many countries have nativity scenes, the French add a unique twist by including santons, small figurines representing local people and animals. Santons originated in Marseille during the 13th century and continue to be a local art in the Provence region.
Although you might not find as wide a variety of these figurines outside southeastern France, you can still embrace this French Christmas tradition by creating your own nativity scene at home.
4. Christmas Markets
French Christmas markets, or marchés de Noël, transform towns into winter wonderlands. Most towns in France host at least one Christmas market, with some lasting just a day while others remain open for weeks. At these pop-up holiday markets, you’ll find stalls, known as chalets, brimming with artisanal foods, handmade goods, festive decorations, and even Christmas trees.
Strolling through these markets while sipping hot mulled wine (vin chaud) and snacking on roasted chestnuts (marrons chauds) or crêpes makes for an experience that feels straight out of a holiday movie.
The largest Christmas market in the world is located in France—specifically in Strasbourg, known as the capital of Christmas.
Having lived in Strasbourg for nearly four years, I can personally attest to how magical this French Christmas tradition is. Each year, the city comes alive with holiday spirit, with a giant Christmas tree taking center stage in the main square and festive events happening all over town.
I always look forward to this time of year, even if Strasbourg can get quite crowded with tourists. Thankfully, I can escape the hustle and bustle when I visit Brittany or the U.S. for the Christmas holidays.
You don’t have to plan a trip to France to enjoy the magic of the Christmas markets. Look for local fairs or holiday markets in your area. Many towns host seasonal markets featuring handmade crafts, delicious foods, and festive decor, very reminiscent of the marchés de Noël.
5. Le Réveillon
While American families typically gather for a feast on Christmas Day, in France, the real holiday celebration happens on Christmas Eve, or le réveillon. This cherished tradition invites families to come together for a lavish meal that stretches late into the night.
Expect to indulge in traditional French Christmas foods like foie gras, oysters, and roasted meats, followed by decadent desserts including the bûche de Noël, a delicious yule log cake made from chocolate or chestnut cream. Miam!
After dinner, many families exchange gifts instead of waiting for Christmas Day, although children typically receive their presents from le Père Noël on Christmas morning. Some families also attend midnight Mass.
When I spent my first Christmas in France, I was surprised by how important le réveillon was. I celebrated with my boyfriend’s family in Brittany, where we enjoyed a multi-course meal and opened presents, with festivities lasting into the early hours.
It was a complete departure from my Christmas Eve celebrations in the U.S., which were typically more casual—often spent at a holiday party or curled up at home watching a Christmas movie.
If you’re eager to embrace a French-style Christmas Eve, consider putting together a traditional French meal. If that sounds a bit daunting, you can always keep it simple and choose one French dish to add to your menu.
6. Les Treize Desserts
While most of France ends the Christmas Eve meal with a bûche de Noël, Provence has its own special tradition. After the Yuletide feast, a grand spread of thirteen different desserts is served, representing Jesus and his twelve apostles.
Though this French Christmas tradition might sound lofty, les treize desserts are surprisingly easy to prepare. The spread typically includes fruits, nuts, and local candies like chewy nougat and marzipan.
Dried Nuts and Fruits symbolize the four monastic communities and include walnuts or hazelnuts (Augustinians), dried figs (Franciscans), almonds (Carmelites), and raisins (Dominicans).
Fresh Fruit is normally a selection of a few seasonal fruits like apples, pears, oranges, melon and grapes.
Nougat symbolizes the passage from light to dark days during the winter solstice. White nougat stands for goodness and purity, while black nougat represents evil and sin.
Calissons d’Aix are a sweet treat made from candied fruit and ground almonds, often found in Provence. Navettes are orange blossom-flavored biscuits popular in Marseille.
Quince Paste (Pâte de Coing) is a thick, sweet jelly traditionally made from the pulp of the quince fruit, which is often described as pear-like and is typically rolled in sugar.
Candied Fruits like oranges, clementines, and melons are particularly popular.
Dates represent the birth and death place of Christ. You must find the “O” on the pit, which Mary or the Baby Jesus supposedly exclaimed at the sight of this fruit.
Pompe à l’Huile is a traditional sweet olive oil bread, flavored with orange blossom water. The tradition is to break the bread by hand rather than slicing it with a knife. Legend has it that doing so helps protect your wealth for the year ahead. You can try making your own pompe à l'huile, or swap it for another sweet bread or cake like brioche, olive oil cake, fougasse or even panettone.
Arrange the desserts on a large platter or separate them into individual bowls or plates. The idea is to display all 13 desserts at once to symbolize the richness and generosity of the season.
Traditionally, the treize desserts are enjoyed after the big Christmas Eve feast and stay on the table until December 27. You can serve them buffet-style so guests can snack throughout the night (and possibly the next three days).
If you're unable to find all of the traditional Provençal items, you can make it your own by incorporating some of your favorite local treats.
7. Midnight Mass
Attending midnight mass on Christmas Eve is a cherished tradition for many French families. After the big feast, families might head to church before going home to sleep and wait for Père Noël’s visit.
Even if you’re not religious, the warmth of the service and the festive spirit surrounding it are worth experiencing. It’s a perfect moment to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
When I first moved to France, I spent Christmas alone. Feeling a bit lonely, I decided to attend Christmas Eve mass at the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris. It was a beautiful gathering, full of candles and people from all over the world—the atmosphere was truly magical. Even though I was away from family, it was a lovely way to celebrate Christmas solo.
8. Le Père Noël and Le Père Fouettard
In France, the magic of Christmas revolves around Le Père Noël, the French counterpart to Santa Claus.
Known for his red robes and flowing white beard, Père Noël brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve. But instead of hanging stockings by the chimney, French children leave their shoes by the fireplace in the hope that Father Christmas will fill them with presents.
Just like in other countries, French children write letters to Père Noël to share their Christmas wishes. However, in France, kids actually get a response. This sweet tradition started back in 1962 when a thoughtful French postal worker began replying to letters sent to Père Noël. Today, if you address a letter to Père Noël, you'll get a postcard back from Santa, thanks to the post office in the town of Libourne.
In some regions, there's a darker figure who accompanies Père Noël—Père Fouettard. Known as "The Whipping Father," he's said to keep an eye on children’s behavior. While Père Noël rewards good children with gifts, Père Fouettard is the one who delivers punishment to the naughty, often depicted carrying a whip or stick.
This French Christmas tradition is now somewhat outdated (thankfully). Nowadays, most families today focus on the warmth and joy that Père Noël brings to their holiday celebrations.
When I asked my French boyfriend if Père Fouettard ever paid him a visit as a kid, he laughed and said, non, his parents didn’t want to scare him too much!
9. Christmas Carols
Love them or hate them, Christmas carols are pretty much inescapable in the U.S. Stores, restaurants, and just about every public space play holiday tunes on repeat from late November until New Year's.
In France, Christmas music plays a much smaller role. While you might hear an English song or two in stores, the French aren’t as obsessed with Christmas carols.
That said, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has somehow made its way across the Atlantic—I hear it in nearly every shop in December, and even my French friends would sing along at holiday parties.
Traditional French Christmas songs do exist, though. Some of the most popular include “Petit Papa Noël”, “Vive le Vent” (“Jingle Bells”), and “Douce Nuit” (“Silent Night”). While caroling isn’t as widespread in France, these classics still bring festive cheer to the season. Add them to your Christmas playlist for some French holiday magic.
10. La Fête des Rois
La Fête des Rois, or Epiphany, is a beloved French tradition that takes place on January 6th, marking the arrival of the Three Wise Men. While Christmas celebrations may have officially wrapped up, the French keep the festivities going with this special holiday, which centers around the iconic galette des rois (king cake).
The galette des rois is a delicious puff pastry filled with frangipane (almond cream) that hides a small charm or bean known as a fève. Tradition holds that the person who finds the fève in their slice is crowned king or queen for the day and gets to wear a golden paper crown. Families, friends, and coworkers all take part in this fun custom.
If you're in the U.S. and want to join in on this French tradition, you can either purchase a galette des rois or, if you're up for the challenge, try baking one yourself. There are countless recipes available online. However, if you'd rather keep things simple, some French bakeries across the U.S. offer classic galettes during this time of year. If you’re in the southern U.S., you may also find the New Orleans-style king cake, which is a colorful, brioche-style version with icing and sprinkles.
As we wrap up this list of French Christmas traditions, it's clear that there's a special magic in how the French celebrate the season. I hope these ten charming customs inspire you this season and bring some French cheer to your own holiday celebrations. No matter how and where you celebrate Christmas this year, may your festivities be filled with joy! Joyeuses Fêtes !
What are your thoughts on these French Christmas traditions? Have you ever experienced Christmas in France? Let me know in the comments below.
