'Le réveillon de Noël': Digging into the French Christmas feast • FRANCE 24 English

Summary

The French Christmas meal is a grand, multi-course family tradition typically held on December 24th, featuring luxury foods like champagne, foie gras, oysters, and snails. While the main dish often includes a stuffed bird, many families opt for convenience with pre-made or restaurant meals. Regional variations such as the Buche de Noel dessert and the tradition of 13 desserts in Provence add local flair. Though celebrated with festive joy, these meals can spark heated debates, making them a rare but cherished time for family, tradition, and food in France.

Takeaways

• 😀 Traditional French Christmas meals are usually held on December 24th, though some families celebrate on the 25th. These meals can last for hours and feature multiple courses.
• 😀 The average cost of a French Christmas meal is estimated to be around $130 (€130), though inflation has made families more cautious in recent years.
• 😀 Champagne is often the first course, accompanied by finger food like olives and appetizers, setting the festive tone of the meal.
• 😀 Luxury items such as foie gras, smoked salmon, shellfish, and oysters are popular starters during French Christmas meals.
• 😀 Snails, often roasted with garlic butter, and white sausages are common dishes served before the main course in some families.
• 😀 The main dish for Christmas dinner in France is typically a bird, such as turkey, though some households opt for pre-made or restaurant meals instead of cooking the bird themselves.
• 😀 A cheese platter is commonly served as part of the meal, reflecting France's strong culinary tradition.
• 😀 The highlight of the French Christmas meal is the dessert, often a 'bûche de Noël' (Yule log), which has both festive and pagan roots, symbolizing a large piece of firewood burned during the winter solstice.
• 😀 Regional French Christmas desserts vary. In areas near the Belgian border, 'counou' (a baby Jesus-shaped brioche) is popular, while in Provence, the tradition of 13 desserts, including raisins, nuts, and nougat, is common.
• 😀 In Provence, a traditional dessert called 'la pompe à l'huile' (olive oil bread) is associated with superstition: if it's cut rather than broken, it is believed to bring bad luck for the upcoming year.
• 😀 The French Christmas meal is often a time for family gatherings, though the concept of the 'racist uncle' reflects how political or controversial topics can sometimes cause tension during the festivities.

Q & A

What is the typical date for the traditional French Christmas meal?

The traditional French Christmas meal is typically held on December 24th, though in some households, it is celebrated on December 25th.

How long does the French Christmas meal usually last?

The French Christmas meal often lasts for several hours, with multiple courses being served throughout the evening.

What is the estimated cost of a traditional French Christmas meal?

The average cost of a traditional French Christmas meal is thought to be around $100 to €130, although inflation has made families more cautious in recent years.

What are some common starters served during a French Christmas meal?

Common starters include champagne paired with finger foods, and luxury items such as foie gras, smoked salmon, shellfish, and oysters.

What is a traditional main dish in the French Christmas meal?

The main dish is often a bird, such as turkey, but many households opt for takeout, restaurant meals, or pre-made frozen food instead of cooking all day.

What is a popular French dessert during Christmas?

A popular French Christmas dessert is the 'bûche de Noël' (Yule log), a cake inspired by an old Pagan tradition of burning a large log to mark the winter solstice.

What are some regional French treats enjoyed during Christmas?

Regional treats include 'kunu' (a brioche shaped like Baby Jesus) near the Belgian border, spice cookies from Alsace, and 'la pompe à l'huile,' an olive oil bread from Provence.

What is the '13 desserts' tradition in Provence?

In Provence, the '13 desserts' tradition includes a variety of sweets such as raisins, nuts, candied fruit, nougat, and other regional specialties.

What superstition is associated with the 'pompe à l'huile' bread?

The superstition surrounding the 'pompe à l'huile' bread is that if you cut it, you will have 12 months of bad luck. To avoid this, the bread should be broken by hand.

What is the 'big supper' in Provence, and what does it symbolize?

The 'big supper' in Provence is a traditional Christmas Eve meal, typically meant to be light. The table is set with three white tablecloths representing the Holy Trinity, and a place is set for the poor, reflecting an old tradition of hospitality.

What does the concept of the 'racist uncle' refer to during French Christmas meals?

The 'racist uncle' concept refers to the tense and divisive political or social discussions that may arise at the dinner table, often symbolizing conflicting worldviews within families during the holiday gathering.