Winter customs
and traditions in
France
Our French traditions :
Saint Nicholas’ Day
Christmas Markets
Advent Food
Epiphany
Carnival
Saint Nicholas
6th December
Protector of children
Saint Nicholas
He comes to schools with his donkey
Saint Nicholas
He gives chocolate and tangerines
To children who were good
At home we eat manalas
and bakeries
Christmas Market
It’s a tradition that lasts during the 4
weeks of Advent
It is held in the townsquare
You can find food, drinks (mulled
wine, hot chocolate…) and craft
All stalls are well decorated and
enlightened
It warms up !
Epiphany
6th of January
The three wise men visiting Jesus
The crib
The revelation of God as a
Human being
The King’s pastry
Lucky charms
Almond cream
The Crown makes you a king/queen
for a day
Advent food
Smoked salmon and
Foie gras on toasts
Turkey and
vegetables
Christmas log
Manalas and bredeles
Typical desserts from the East of France
Carnival
The winter witch is burnt to get rid of winter and cold
Carnival
Masks and fancy dresses can hide
richness, poverty,beauty or ugliness
Christkindel
It is a tradition from the East of France. A young girl dressed in white goes
round people’s home during Christmas night and gives presents to children
who were good
Carnival
• Dunkirk’s carnival (English subtitled)
• Strasbourg’s carnival 2012