Transcript Christmas in France

Olga Sukhanova
Aleksandra Volkova
CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE
A LITTLE BIT OF FRENCH CHRISTMAS
HISTORY
France has celebrated Christmas since A.D.496.
This was when the bishop, St. Rémi, first baptized
Clovis I (c. 466-511) who was king of the Franks, along
with 3000 of his army at Rheimson on December 25th.
The Christmas season lasts one month, beginning
on St. Nicholas Day (December 6th) to Epiphany
(January 6).
In France it is a time for the whole family to come
together at Christmas time to holiday and worship. On the
eve of Christmas beautifully lit churches and cathedrals,
ring out Christmas carols with the church bells.
CRÈCHE
Arranging the Nativity scene is a popular
custom associated with the French Christmas
season. During Christmas, nearly every home in
the country displays a Nativity scene which is the
center of Christmas celebrations for families.
Little clay figures called "santons" or "little saints"
are placed in the crèche.
MENU
The cake, among other food in great
abundance is served at the grand feast of the
season, which is called le réveillon. Le réveillon
is a very late supper held after midnight mass on
Christmas Eve. Le réveillon may consist of
poultry, ham, salads, cake, fruit and wine.
The Christmas tree has never been particularly
popular in France, and though the use of the Yule log has
faded, the French make a traditional Yule log-shaped
cake called the bûche de Noël, which means "Christmas
Log".
Once dinner is over family members retire to bed
but not before laying food and drinks on the table and
leaving a fire burning. This is believed to be in honour
of Virgin Mary who is supposed to visit homes during
Christmastime.
LE PÈRE NOËL
On Christmas Eve, children put out in the
hearth their shoes or wooden clogs called
sabots to be filled with gifts from Père Noël, the
French equivalent of the British Father
Christmas and the American Santa Claus. Le
Père Noël is said to travel with his stern
disciplinarian companion Pre Fouettard who
reminds him how each child has behaved during
the past year.
LE PÈRE NOËL
A popular Christmas song for French children
is Petit Papa Noel. Children write letters to Père
Noël in the hope of getting presents from him.
Their wishes are fulfilled when they wake up in
the morning to find not only their gifts but also
sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys hanging
somewhere closely. Adults generally wait until
New Year's Day to exchange gifts.
Christmas tree, a symbol of everlasting life,
decorated with garlands of lights and glass
balls. Can not imagine a French house without a
holiday tree.
That's all we wanted to tell you
about French Christmas. Thank
you for your attention!