Everything you need to know to enjoy a magical French festive season.
Christmas in France is more than a holiday, it’s a season of rich traditions, incredible food, regional customs, and moments shared around the table. Whether you’re newly arrived or already settling into life in France, understanding how the French celebrate Christmas will help you feel more at home, and create memories that last.
This article walks you through how Christmas is celebrated across France, what to expect as an expat, and the traditions you’ll soon love as much as the locals.
Table of contents
French Christmas traditions: What to expect
Le Réveillon de Noël
In most families, the main Christmas meal, le Réveillon, takes place on the evening of 24 December.
But traditions vary: some households celebrate at lunchtime on 25 December, and the term réveillon is also used for New Year’s Eve.
The spirit is the same everywhere:
- long, festive dinners
- multiple courses
- Champagne and wine
- desserts and chocolates
- unhurried conversation that can last late into the night
If you’re an expat, don’t be surprised if you’re still at the table five hours later — this is the French way.
Traditional French Christmas foods
While menus differ from family to family and region to region, the classics include:
- Seafood platters (oysters, prawns, smoked salmon)
- Foie gras
- Roast poultry or fish
- Seasonal vegetables
- Bûche de Noël (the famous yule log cake)
- Mountains of chocolate
Food plays a central role in the French festive experience, and Christmas is the ultimate showcase.
Les 13 desserts (Provence)
This isn’t a national tradition, it’s deeply Provençal.
After the “gros souper” on Christmas Eve, families in Provence lay out 13 desserts, symbolising Christ and the 12 apostles.
They include:
- nuts and dried fruit
- nougat
- fresh fruit
- pompe à l’huile (olive-oil cake)
If you live in the south, this is a magical part of the local culture to adopt.
French drinks at Christmas
At Christmas markets you’ll find vin chaud (mulled wine), but at home the essentials are:
- Champagne
- Crémant
- Bordeaux, Burgundy or local wines depending on the region
Drinks are paired carefully with each course, and glasses are topped up generously.
Gift giving in France
Families exchange gifts either:
- at midnight on 24 December, or
- on Christmas morning, depending on tradition.
Expat families often blend French and home-country customs, and that’s perfectly normal.
Papillotes: A Christmas treat
Papillotes are shiny, gold-wrapped chocolates containing a small message, joke or proverb.
Some brands include tiny pétards (snaps), but that’s optional.
They’re found on every table and loved by children (and grown-ups).
Père Fouettard (Saint Nicolas Tradition)
Père Fouettard is not part of Christmas across France.
He appears mainly in north-eastern regions (Alsace, Lorraine) on 6 December, as the darker companion to Saint Nicolas, rewarding good children and warning the naughty ones.
If you’re in these regions, expect parades, sweets and local celebrations in early December.
Santons de Noël (Provence)
In Provence, families build elaborate nativity scenes filled with santons, handcrafted clay figurines representing villagers, trades and biblical characters.
You can buy them at Christmas markets across the south, and over time build your own collection.
🎄 Christmas Markets in France
France is home to some of Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets, from Alsace to the Alps. They’re filled with:
- handmade crafts
- regional foods
- mulled wine
- festive lights
👉 Want inspiration? Read: The Top Five Christmas Markets in France
La Galette des Rois (Epiphany)
Christmas celebrations continue into January with the Galette des Rois, eaten for Epiphany:
- In the north and centre: puff pastry with frangipane
- In the south: brioche crown with candied fruit
A fève (lucky charm) is hidden inside, and the person who finds it becomes “king” or “queen.”
Tradition says the youngest person sits under the table and calls out who each slice goes to, ensuring fairness (and fun).
In reality, the French eat galette all through January.
Christmas in France as an expat: What it feels like
You’ll notice three things quickly:
- Christmas is less commercial than in many English-speaking countries.
- Food, family and rituals matter more than decorations and gifting.
- Each region has its own identity, from Alsatian markets to Provençal santons.
For many expats, celebrating Christmas in France becomes one of the most cherished parts of living here.
Final notes
Christmas in France is a rich blend of food, tradition, regional culture and slow, meaningful moments shared with family and friends.
Whether you’re adapting old traditions or creating new ones, embracing a French Christmas is one of the most enjoyable parts of expat life.
Updated November 2025
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