French Christmas tradition

It is Christmas time and I take the opportunity to talk about the French traditions of Christmas.

At Christmas time

Public places

Almost one month before, people are already bathed in the Christmas mood. Streets are alighted by Christmas lights and Christmas trees takes place on main places. You can hear Christmas songs and New Year's songs. Christmas market take place in cities. There are some famous such as Strasbourg, Montbéliard, Amiens, Reims, Avignon, Lyon, Marseille and Paris in the "Champs Elysée". When you pass stores, shop windows are decorated and inside too.

Houses

People decorate the interior of their house and fir. They set the crib. Outside, they also decorate their house with light trings.

The celebration of Christmas

 At Christmas eve, children put their shoes under the Christmas tree waiting for midnight. They hope to meet  le "Père Noël" who will fill shoes of gifts and chocolates. In the past, children had only an orange as presents. The hosts dress a nice table with decorations and confectioneries. At the beginning of the evening, people go to the church and after they have a diner. At midnight, they wish to each other a happy Christmas and offer presents. About children, either they go to bed if they are very young and will find out their gifts the morning of Christmas or /and for older kids, they receive their presents at midnight. At Christmas day, a big lunch is also given.


What do french people eat traditionally ?

Traditionally, French people eat at this celebration and at new year day diners these meals :

Starter


The foie gras is made with a goose's liver. Most of people love eating it.




                              Seafoods eaten with the mayonnaise, it is very good.




Oysters with a juice of lemon gives a good taste. Lot of people love that.




                                                                          Coquilles saint-Jacques







Snails is a famous meal in France. There are a lot of recepe from snails. When they are presented with their shell, we use a spoon-like forceps in odrer to extract easily the snails.









Main dishes

Turkey with chestnuts,

Duck breast (Magret de canard)








Desserts

Roller of Christmas

Two types: pastry roller of Christmas that made with sponge cake and butter cream and the second option it is the iced roller of Christmas.






confectioneries

Children and as well grown-ups like to taste chocolate or fruit pastes or nuts.
The most popular are "les papillotes" that are made with chocolate or fruit pastes wrapped in glossy paper. But you can find "marrons glacés" (iced chestnuts). They are cooked chestnuts that were macerated in a sirup during several hours. Chocolate truffles and shortbreads are very appreciated too.

    



 

There is so much dishes that i can't dress a long list.