French Christmas Traditions

Advent calendars – les calendriers de l’Avent

French children open Advent Calendars like in many other countries during the month of December leading up to Christmas.

Postcards from Père Noël

Letters from French kids to Father Christmas always receive a response from Santa. Since 1962, France has had a law that stipulates any letter to Santa must be responded to in the form of a postcard. The law ensures that each child receives a reply to his/her letter to Santa making thousands of happy children each year! The postmen are happy to get into the Christmas spirit and deliver Santa’s replies.

The nativity scene

In French this is known as the “crèche” and French families who have a nativity scene often really go to town with this and include all kinds of figures not just Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Image courtesy of Jametlene Reskp via Unsplash

La Chandeleur

This is the 2nd February when nativity scenes are displayed until. This is 40 days after Christmas Day.

Le Réveillon de Noël

This is Christmas Eve dinner. At around midnight, French families eat a special meal to celebrate the very beginning of Christmas Day.

Père Fouettard

In certain regions of France in the past, the tradition was that Père Fouettard would accompany Père Noël to spank naughty children! This French christmas tradition is now somewhat outdated as it isn’t in line with current parenting practice!

Shoes by the Fire

In other countries, the tradition varies slightly with stockings and nibbles and drinks for Father Christmas, but French children leave their shoes by the fireplace in the hope that Father Christmas will fill them with presents.

Christmas Dinner

Dishes might include roast turkey with chestnuts or roast goose, oysters, foie gras, lobster, venison and cheeses. For dessert, a chocolate sponge cake log called a bûche de Noël is normally eaten. Another celebration, in some parts of France, is that 13 different desserts are eaten!

La fêtes des Rois & La Galette des Rois

On January 6th, this is called Kings’ Day, Three Kings’ Day and Epiphany and in France, there is a tradition which means that French families will buy a ‘Galette des Rois’ which is a special tart and a small porcelain object called a ‘fève’ is hidden inside and the person who gets this in their portion is proclaimed the king (or queen) for the day and wears a pretend crown and can choose his King or Queen.

---

• March 28th, 2023
• Activities Juniors

Summer Holidays in France 2022 Recap : Why not visit in 2023?

Summer 2022 feels like a long time ago, especially now we have snow in Morzine. But what a Summer it was!    Our Summer Camp kicked off with a busy week as Morzine hosted the starting stage of Le Tour de France and the bi-annual Harley Day’s Festival. We managed…

Continue Reading

---

• January 6th, 2023
• Activities Things to do

Beginner skiing in Morzine

If you have never skied before and are looking to spend a holiday, or perhaps a season in the french alps, you have a lot to think about. From what clothes you need, how many layers to put on, to equipment and overall fitness, the experience is definitely a new…

Continue Reading

---

• December 6th, 2022
• News

Local’s Recommendations For Winter in Morzine!

Planning a trip to Morzine this Winter? We decided to ask our members of staff at Alpine French School what they would recommend to a first time visitor to the area. As many of them have lived and worked in Morzine for years, they know the best spots to warm…

Continue Reading

---

• November 3rd, 2022
• News

Alpine French School au coeur de Morzine

Apprendre le français pendant ses vacances, c’est possible ! Avec Alpine french school, vous pouvez conjuguer l’utile à l’agréable. Tous les étés, dans le petit village de Morzine se réunit une irréductible équipe de professeurs pour enseigner le français à des anglophones. Précurseur, Morzine est, au début du XXᵉ siècle, un…

Continue Reading

---