Interesting Facts About Christmas in France

Interesting Facts About Christmas in France
•
To say 'Merry Christmas' you say 'Joyeux Noël.' Father Christmas is le Père Noël. If you
are going to send him a letter then it should begin:Cher Père Noël....
•
Christmas Presents - Les Cadeaux de Noël
In some parts of France, Christmas comes early when Father Christmas, le Père Noël,
brings small gifts and sweets for children on December 6th, the feast day of Saint-Nicolas
(celebrated in the North and Northeast). The celebrations take place because, once upon
a time there were three children who got lost in the countryside. An evil butcher
kidnapped them. Luckily, Saint-Nicolas rescued the children and returned them to their
parents. This is why Saint Nicholas is known as the protector of children.
On the night of 5 December (the eve of Saint Nicholas) children place their shoes in front
of the fireplace and they sing traditional songs to the saint before going to bed. They
believe that he will arrive on his donkey carrying treats and gifts for children. In other
parts of the country, children do this on Christmas Eve and wake up on Christmas Day to
find them filled with presents from le Père Noël and fruit, nuts and small toys hanging on
the tree. Christmas Day is mainly a day of celebration for children.
While they all open their Christmas presents, les Cadeaux de Noël on this day, not all
parents do - some are patient and wait until New Year's Eve, la Saint-Sylvestre, which is
more of an adult celebration.
•
Food and Drink - Alimentation et Boissons
After Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve (which is attended by fewer and fewer nowadays)
people gather at home or in a restaurant for a feast called le réveillon.
This usually consists of oysters, les huîtres, snails, les escargots, seafood, les fruits de
mer, smoked salmon, saumon fumé or le caviar as a starter, followed by goose, l'oie, or
some other roasted bird for the main course, all washed down with wine, le vin or le
champagne.
•
Quirky Customs - Les Coutumes Bizarres
Saint-Nicolas has a partner, le Père Fouettard, Father Spanker, whose job it is to decide
whether children have been good or bad and 'reward' bad children with a spanking! The
name Le Père Fouettard comes from the word for 'the whip.' Le fouet = the whip.
•
A French Carol - Un Chant de Noël Français
Fra nçais
Vive le Vent Jingle Bells
Vive le vent, vive le vent, vive le vent
d'hiver
Qui s'en va, sifflant, soufflant
Dans les grands sapins verts, Oh !
Vive le temps, vive le temps, vive le
temps d'hiver
Qui rappelle aux vieux enfants
Leurs souvenirs d'hier !
Sur le long chemin
Tout blanc de neige blanche
Un vieux monsieur s'avance
Avec sa canne dans la main
Et tout là-haut le vent
Qui siffle dans les branches
Lui souffle la romance qu'il chantait
petit enfant
Un quiz de Noël français - A French Christmas quiz
noms:______________________________
What is special about the 6th December in some parts of France?
1
un)
2
deux)
3
trois)
4
quatre)
5
cinq)
6
six)
7
sept)
Which French Christmas person would you not like to meet?
8
huit)
What does Vive le Vent mean?
9
neuf)
10
dix)
How do you say Merry Christmas in French?
What is Saint Nicholas known as protecting and why?
How would you start your letter to Father Christmas in French?
What might you find in your shoes at Christmas in France?
When do some adults in France open their presents?
What delicious foods are served at le réveillon?
Where does Le Père Fouettard’s name come from?
11) Couleur à père noel par numéros (Colour Santa by numbers)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
rouge
blanc
noir
vert
marron
jaune
bleu
violet
rose