On Christmas Eve, French children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with nuts, fruit, and small toys from Pre Nol, Father Christmas.Santa holds a nativity set. In France, a Nativity, usually made of clay instead of wood, decorates the house. The figures are known as Santons or 'Little Saints.' French Nativity sets have the normal figures in them, but also include everyday figures such as a Butcher, a Baker, a Policeman, and a Priest.
Santa also cradles the traditional Christmas Yule Log Cake. The French make the log-shaped cake called the buche de Noel, which means "Christmas Log." The cake is served at the grand feast of the season called le Rveillon.
Interesting Facts:
National name is Rpublique Franaise
France is located in western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain southeast of the United Kingdom; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain. Land mass of 211,208 square miles (547,030 sq km), about 80% the size of Texas.
The population, 2005 estimate, is 60,656,178.
The capital and largest city is Paris.
The colors of the flag represent different symbols.
Blue is the color of Saint Martin, a rich Gallo-Roman officer who ripped his blue coat in half to share it with a poor beggar he came across in the snow. This is the symbol of care, of the duty that the rich have to help the poor.
White is the color of the Virgin Mary, to whom the Kingdom of France was consecrated by Louis XIII in the 17th century.
Red is the color of Saint Denis, the patron saint of Paris. The original oriflamme, war banner, of the kings was the red oriflamme of Saint Denis.
Christmas Traditions
In France, Father Christmas is called Pre Nol. Cherry wood Yule logs are often burned on Christmas Eve. The log is carried into the home and sprinkled with red wine to make it smell nice when burning. There is a custom that the log and candles are left burning with some food and drink left out in case Mary and the baby Jesus should visit during the night.
The main Christmas meal, called le Rveillon, is eaten after everyone has returned from the midnight church service on Christmas Eve. In the northeast, goose is often the main dish, but turkey with chestnuts is preferred in Burgundy. Buckwheat cakes served with sour cream are traditional in Britanny, and oysters and champagne are favored in and near Paris. A chocolate Yule log is eaten for dessert.
Epiphany, called Fte de Rios in French, is also celebrated in France on January 6th. A flat almond cake is eaten called Galette des Rois. The cake has a toy crown inside and is decorated on top with a gold paper crown.
France Pipka Santas World of Santas On Christmas Eve, French children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with nuts, fruit, and small toys from Pre Nol, Father Christmas.
Santa holds a nativity set. In France, a Nativity,
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