French Christmas Traditions

Christmas, always called 'Noël in France, is largely characterized by exchanging gifts within families, and by gifts brought by Father Christmas, or Père Noël, as he's called in France. French children put their shoes in front of the fireplace, in the hopes that Père Noël (aka Papa Noël) will fill them with gifts.

Local and regional Christmas traditions are still rich and varied, with the Christmas meal being an important family gathering with good meat and the best wine.

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