Travel Tips

14 French Christmas traditions that make the holidays feel extra magical

Discover the most charming French Christmas traditions, including markets, food rituals, and regional celebrations. Get inspired to experience a cozy, magical holiday season in France.

France doesn’t just celebrate Christmas… it savours it.

From charming festive markets to elaborate family feasts and magical nativity scenes, Christmas in France blends world-class cuisine with cozy, family rituals and a touch of folklore charm.

If you’re planning a French festive trip this December and are wondering “What are some Christmas traditions in France?” read on. Here are 14 French Christmas traditions that bring the holidays to life in the most enchanting way.

In this article

1. Réveillon, the late-night Christmas Eve feast

In France, Christmas Day lunch is not the main meal. Instead, it’s Réveillon that takes place late on Christmas Eve. The name ‘Réveillon’ comes from the French word ‘réveil,’ meaning “waking,” as the celebration takes place after midnight mass until the early hours of Christmas morning.

The festive meal is a long, lavish feast of multiple courses, including oysters, roast turkey, and foie gras. Traditionally, the meal concludes with a Bûche de Noël (chocolate yule log) for dessert.

2. Attending Midnight Mass across France

Before Réveillon, many locals head to their nearest church for Midnight Mass (la Messe de Minuit), which remains one of the most popular Christmas traditions in France.

Midnight Mass is celebrated in many French towns, but rarely at midnight; instead, it takes place between 6 and 10 pm. Those who don’t attend a local Mass tend to watch the televised Pope’s Mass instead.

3. A cozy, family-centered Christmas morning (Le Jour de Noël)

After a late night of laughter, food, and festive fun, families wake on Christmas morning with full bellies and full hearts.

Therefore, Christmas morning is slow, quiet, and cozy. It is generally for the children, who gather excitedly around the tree to open the presents brought by Père Noël.

This is followed by a long family lunch, which is far more low-key than Réveillon.

4. Classic French dishes served at Christmas

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Festive meals in France are lively family gatherings where the whole extended family comes together.

Christmas feasts typically start with Foie gras (a classic French Christmas starter), followed by oysters (Huîtres) and smoked salmon. Families then tuck into roast capon or turkey for the main, which is often stuffed and served with chestnuts. Alongside this, Coquilles Saint-Jacques (scallops) are often served as an elegant and festive side dish.

5. Traditional French Christmas desserts

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The most popular Christmas dessert in France is Bûche de Noël, the traditional Yule log, also eaten in other European countries.

But one of the sweetest French Christmas traditions is ‘Les 13 desserts,’ a selection of 13 desserts served after Réveillon. The treats represent Jesus and his twelve apostles at the Last Supper, and include a mix of sweet and savory offerings, such as dried fruits and nuts, nougat, and sweet breads. While the tradition originated in Provence, many other regions have adopted it with their own variations and twists.

Another popular festive sweet treat is Pain d’épices, a spiced French gingerbread. It’s sold in cafes, Christmas markets, and bakeries around the festive season.

Pro tip: Each region has its own specialties, and Christmas markets often sell seasonal treats like roasted chestnuts and Alsatian pastries.

6. Festive drinks

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One of the main things France is known for is Champagne, so you can expect to find this (or Crémant) present at every festive meal and on New Year’s Eve.

Meanwhile, Vin chaud is the French version of mulled wine, and is enjoyed throughout the festive season. There is also a non-alcoholic spiced apple juice that is popular among the kids.

7. Christmas markets (Marchés de Noël)

One French Christmas tradition that draws in millions of international tourists every December is the Christmas markets. You’ll find a ‘Marché de Noël’ in every city or town, but some are larger and more iconic than others.

Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik is the oldest and most famous Christmas Market in France, with over 300 chalets selling festive food, drinks, and gifts. The festive markets in Colmar and Metz are also extremely popular among tourists.

8. Holiday lights and department store displays

Christmas lights are among the most widespread Christmas traditions in France. During December, you’ll see cities decorated with magnificent holiday lights, both in the public spaces and outside people’s houses.

What’s more, some department stores create spectacular window displays or in-store decorations.

One of the most well-known is Galeries Lafayette in Paris, which features a giant Christmas tree suspended from the dome. Tourists and locals alike stop by to admire it and watch the sound-and-light show.

9. Nativity scenes with hand-painted santons (Crèche)

Nativity scenes (crèches) are among the most popular French Christmas traditions. To this day, you will find them in many public places as well as in people’s homes.

In some regions, particularly Provence, crèches are decorated with small hand-painted figurines (santons) of the holy family. Some even have detailed recreations of the village and barn where baby Jesus was born.

10. Decorating the French Christmas tree (Sapin de Noël)

Christmas trees are one of the longest-running Christmas traditions in France, dating back to the 1500s. Traditionally, the ‘Sapin de Noël’ was decorated with fruits, paper flowers, and ribbons, while today, handmade ornaments like glass baubles and lights are typical.

Another interesting French Christmas tradition is to place a pair of shoes (slippers or wooden clogs) in front of the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. The shoes serve the same purpose as the classic Christmas stocking, and so, each person’s gifts are placed in or next to their shoes.

11. Star and angel ornaments used across France

At the top of any French Christmas tree, you will spot a star or angel ornament, a tradition similar to that in other countries like the UK. Star toppers represent the Star of Bethlehem, while angel toppers are a nod to the Angel Gabriel from the Nativity.

12. Advent wreaths and candle-lit windows

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Candle-lit wreaths are a typical Christmas decoration in France, and you’ll spot them in many windows. These wreaths have four candles, and each Sunday before Christmas, one candle is lit.

Many communities have a more elaborate version of this tradition: the Advent wreath (couronne de l’Avent). They decorate a window in their home each day of Advent with a new festive display.

Then on Christmas Eve, many people place a single candle on their windowsill, serving as a welcoming beacon for Father Christmas (Père Noël).

13. Père Noël, France’s version of Santa

If you’re in France at Christmas and hear local kids talking about ‘Père Noël’, they are referring to Santa Claus or Saint Nicolas. Like in most other parts of the world, Santa in France is depicted as an older man with a white beard and red suit.

French children send their Christmas lists to Père Noël, and there is a special post office in Libourne dedicated to handling them and sending responses.

14. Père Fouettard, the folklore figure of discipline

There is no one French children fear more than Père Fouettard, a folklore figure that punishes naughty children at Christmas. In France, not only are children told they won’t receive any Christmas gifts if they misbehave, but they are also told they will get a visit from the mean and scary Père Fouettard!

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