Discover what Christmas in France is Really Like ...

The way Christmas is celebrated in France is not too dissimilar to the UK festivities and traditions: decorating the house, presents, and good food are all involved. The religious significance of the occasion receives greater recognition here, with crib scenes part of the decoration in most homes and church services and celebrations central to the town’s Christmas events.

French Christmas Traditions

There are some Christmas traditions in France that may seem strange, such as the habit of keeping the decorations up until long after Twelfth Night, until, in fact, the end of January, yet there are others that are really worth embracing. Many of these, unsurprisingly, involve food and drink! This is France after all, and you wouldn’t expect any less.

Christmas Treats for Food Lovers

If you are trying to watch your weight, then France at Christmas time may not be the best place to be. There are so many wonderful foods available, it’s impossible to resist unless you have incredible willpower. Chocolate lovers will be delighted by the amazing displays of chocolate figures available in the Chocolateries and Patisseries at Christmas time. They are impressive and compulsively edible!

The supermarkets, too, bear witness to the French love of fine foods at Christmas. Every supermarket you go into will have displays packed to bursting with “galettes des rois”... the cake of kings. These vary in the different regions of France, being almost like a frangipane pie in the north and more of a sugared brioche in the south, but they are all delicious, and they all have the lovely tradition of having a small Christmas figurine hidden inside; to be found by the lucky one, so don’t swallow without chewing well first!

Traditionally, the French Christmas meal is eaten after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The menu usually includes roast turkey stuffed with chestnuts or roast goose and may also feature oysters, lobster, foie gras, venison, and cheeses – all the most decadent and luxurious treats.

Christmas Markets

No one does a marché de Noël as well as the French, and the Christmas markets here are renowned. The markets usually consist of wooden chalets selling handcrafted gifts, food and drinks. Sometimes there will also be street entertainment, fairground rides, or even an ice-skating rink. The atmosphere is full of Christmas spirit, and a wander around will soon get you in a festive mood!

Christmas Presents in France

Children look forward to a midnight visit from Le Père Noël, and everyone enjoys exchanging gifts around the tree. Christmas is a time for family, and French homes are filled to bursting point with grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters and extended family.

Spending Christmas in France

While the various regions of France share several Christmas traditions, each has its own unique holiday customs that vary depending on local foods, climate, and available activities. Here are three of our favourite destinations:

Like a classic Bordeaux or a hearty Burgundy, Champagne is named after the wine region in which it is produced. But the Champagne-Ardenne region is home to many vineyards that grow a variety of grapes and produce many different types of wine.

Situated on the southern coast of France, Provence-Côte d’Azur offers miles of rich, blue Mediterranean coastline and delicious sunshine food to accompany it. Are you dreaming of spending Christmas in France but can’t decide where to go? No matter where you’re planning to move to or invest, we’d be delighted to assist with your property search.