Beyond Christmas: France’s Delicious and Colourful Winter Traditions
Discover how France transforms the coldest months into a celebration of sweet treats, vibrant festivals, and cherished traditions that brighten even the darkest days.
Here in England, Christmas is definitely over.
January has begun, and the festive lights that brightened our long December nights have been carefully packed away.
The season's excitement has faded, leaving us to settle back into our routines.
Winter stretches ahead, cold and grey, with little to lift the mood until Easter and the promise of spring.
But in France, it’s a different story.
While the French also bid farewell to Christmas, they don’t surrender to the gloom of winter.
Instead, a series of cherished traditions keep spirits high and the season vibrant.
From January through to March, France’s winter celebrations offer a cheerful antidote to the cold and dark months.
Many of these customs revolve around food—delicious desserts, to be precise—and bring families and communities together in joyful celebration.
Let me take you on a journey through these heart-warming French traditions.
Epiphany: The Galette des Rois
The season begins with Épiphanie, celebrated on 6 January.
In homes, schools, and offices across France, people come together to share the galette des rois.
This golden pastry, filled with frangipane, hides a tiny charm known as the fève.
Whoever finds it in their slice is crowned king or queen for the day, complete with a festive cardboard crown.
As a child in France, I loved the thrill of uncovering the fève and the playful arguments over who would get the biggest slice.
Even as an adult, the joy of sharing a galette with family and friends remains a cherished tradition.
I’ve even written about this delightful custom in more detail here on my Substack.
Candlemas: Pancakes for Everyone
Just as the January blues might begin to creep in, Chandeleur (Candlemas) arrives on 2 February.
This day, steeped in both religious and pagan roots, is all about pancakes—or crêpes.
Families gather in their kitchens, flipping crêpes with a coin in hand to ensure prosperity for the year ahead.
The simplicity of crêpes—whether sweet or savoury—and the fun of making them together make this a much-loved celebration.
For many French families, it’s a chance to pause and enjoy the simple pleasures of good food and good company.
Mardi Gras: Sweet Treats and Parades
February also brings the lively festivities of Mardi Gras, the day before Lent begins.
In France, this means indulging in beignets, waffles, and other deep-fried delights.
Children dress up in costumes, and in certain towns, parades fill the streets with colour and music.
Cities like Dunkirk and Nice are famous for their extravagant carnivals.
In Dunkirk, the carnival season spans weeks, with vibrant processions and a joyous, slightly chaotic atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the Carnival of Nice transforms the Riviera into a dazzling spectacle of floats, flowers, and lights.
Unique Festivities: Lemons and Snow
Some French winter celebrations are truly one of a kind.
In Menton, the Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) showcases incredible sculptures made entirely of citrus fruits, drawing visitors from around the world.
Up in the Alps, Annecy’s Venetian Carnival fills the snowy streets with elegant costumes and masks, echoing the glamour of Venice.
My daughter particularly loves this carnival for the beauty of some of the costumes.
A Pause Before Spring
After Mardi Gras, the season quietens as Lent begins.
This period of reflection and simplicity offers a pause before the renewal of spring.
Yet even during Lent, the French find ways to come together, often with smaller gatherings and simple meals.
Easter: The Grand Finale
Winter finally gives way to spring with Pâques (Easter).
The promise of warmer days and blooming flowers fills the air, and families celebrate with chocolate eggs, lamb roasts, and Easter egg hunts for the children.
It’s a joyful conclusion to the long winter season, paving the way for summer’s light and warmth.
Discover More in My eBook: Holidays & Celebrations in France
The subject of holidays and celebrations has always fascinated me, especially the curiosity of uncovering the origins of traditions followed by the French for generations.
If you share this interest, you’ll love my photographic eBook, Holidays & Celebrations in France.
This 288-page book, complete with over 117 stunning illustrations, reveals the secrets behind French celebrations—from the most famous to the lesser-known.
It’s a cultural journey into French customs and traditions that will satisfy the curious and delight lovers of France.
Inside, you’ll find rich stories and insights on many feasts and celebrations, including:
New Year’s Day
Epiphany
Candlemas
Valentine’s Day
Shrove Tuesday
April Fool’s Day
Easter
Ascension Day
May Day
and many more!
Whether you’re curious about the traditions or simply enjoy the beauty of French culture, this book offers a window into the celebrations that define the French calendar.
I invite you to explore this festive journey and keep the joy of French traditions alive in your heart:
Reflecting on Traditions
Living in England, I often find myself missing these festive French traditions.
They are a reminder that winter doesn’t have to be bleak; it can be a season of togetherness, delicious food, and celebration.
While I miss these traditions here in England, we don’t hesitate to recreate them as a family.
What about you? Do you have winter traditions that brighten the darker months?
I’d love to hear about them.
Let’s keep the conversation going and share the warmth of our traditions, wherever we are in the world.