Celebrations in France

1
Celebrations in France

• Saint Nicholas Day
• Christmas
• Le Reveillon
• Crèche
• Yule Log
• Three Kings Cake

2
Saint Nicholas Day

• Many people in France observe Saint Nicholas Day
  on December 6th.
• This is the day when Pere Noel brings the
  children gifts.
• The children leave their shoes by the fireplace
  to be filled with sweets,
• fruit, nuts and small toys.

3
Christmas

• Christmas in France usually consists of families
  coming together on Christmas Eve.
• Most of these families begin the celebration with
  a midnight mass in brightly lit cathedrals.
• During these services, many carols are sung and
  church bells ring loudly.

4
Le Reveillon

• After the midnight mass, the families have a
  feast, called Le Reveillon.
• Reveillon means to wake up or the first call of
  the day.
• Many restaurants stay open
• all night for this meal.

5
Crèche

• Most homes in France are decorated with at least
  one Crèche, or Nativity scene.
• These usually have clay figurines, called
  santons, depicting the birth of Jesus.

6
Yule Log

• Christmas trees are not usually displayed in
  homes in France.
• However, usually a Yule Log is used as a
  decoration.
• Sometimes a Yule log-shaped cake, called a buche
  de Nol, is made.

7
Three Kings Cake

• French families also bake a Three Kings Cake.
• This cake has a bean in one of the slices.
• The person with the slice containing the bean is
  crowned King or Queen for the day.