The City of Lights sparkles even more than usual as the holidays approach. Beautifully decorated shopping centers and decked-out window displays line the streets — but one of the best things about Christmas Time in Paris is the food. French people know how to celebrate the festive season, and Christmas dinner is no exception! Typical meals vary from region to region, showcasing the diversity of French cuisine, but one thing is sure — the French know how to spend the holidays indulging in their national passion for food.
Normally, the French are very disciplined regarding their food intake; however, the Christmas Eve celebration, or le Réveillon de Noël, is their excuse to let go, eat, and drink with abandon. Imagine a Christmas feast where you can indulge in foie gras, oysters, and champagne without a second thought! This joyous occasion often leads to a comatose state of blissful overindulgence.
Le Réveillon de Noël: A French Christmas Eve Tradition
Dating back to the 19th century and rooted in Catholic tradition, Le Réveillon de Noël is a late-night feast that originally occurred after midnight mass. Today, many families enjoy this French Christmas dinner earlier in the evening, but the classic menu items have more or less remained the same.
The réveillon is often a long and elaborate event, a true Christmas feast, consisting of several courses served one after the other with plenty of breaks in between for conversation and drinks. Typically, the meal starts with aperitifs, a variety of bite-size amuse-bouches accompanied by champagne or wine, followed by the proper sit-down meal (and, of course, an impressive range of more wine). Gourmet from start to finish, this feast is one of the biggest culinary celebrations of the year.
7 Festive Favourites: A Traditional French Christmas Menu
If you’re curious about classic French Christmas foods, here are seven festive favourites that often grace the Christmas table during le Réveillon:
Caviar
The réveillon is a truly decadent affair. It’s the prime time to splurge on food items reserved for special occasions. To start the party, caviar is served as an aperitif, intended to help line the stomach and whet the palette. While most believe caviar is best simply prepared, it is often served on top of small buckwheat pancakes, blinis, with a dollop of sour cream.
Oysters
It may seem odd to have seafood at Christmas, but the French, especially Parisians, are very fond of slurping up chilled oysters as an appetizer. Maybe these aphrodisiacs help diners get in the mood for more food. Fun fact — around half of all oysters eaten in France are consumed between Christmas and New Year’s.
When strolling the streets of Paris during the Christmas season, you will see oysters for sale in markets and in front of cafes and restaurants on almost every block.
Foie gras
Foie gras literally means "greasy liver." It’s not a very tempting translation, but this sumptuous, rich spread is hugely popular with the French and a staple on any traditional French Christmas menu. It is seen as a special treat synonymous with Christmas in France. Rich and buttery in flavour, foie gras pairs well with sweet wine and tends to be served with slices of toast alongside fig or onion confit. Sometimes, it's even served on a thin slice of pain d’épices, a sweet, spiced bread enjoyed during the holiday season, baked with a typical mix of Christmas spices: anise, cloves, ginger, cardamom, coriander, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla and cinnamon.
Escargots
Contrary to popular belief, snails aren’t eaten as often in France as the stereotype leads us to think. However, during Christmas, and particularly in the Burgundy region, escargot is likely to make an appearance on the Christmas dinner table. Typically they are enjoyed as an appetizer with a clove of melted garlic and parsley butter sauce.
This holiday season, Flavors of Paris is offering a Christmas Market Tour; a guided journey through the Tuileries Market, you'll get to taste more Christmas fixings: mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and holiday treats. Our expert guides, passionate about French culture and traditions, will lead you through the market’s enchanting chalets. You'll learn about the age-old customs of French Christmas celebrations and explore the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into each stall's festive décor. From artisanal crafts to unique gifts, this tour is perfect for finding those memorable holiday souvenirs that capture the essence of a Parisian Christmas.
Coquilles Saint Jacques
Another popular seafood starter for the réveillon feast is scallops. Although there are hundreds of options when it comes to preparing coquilles Saint Jacques, the most classic recipe is made with winter vegetables and cream sauce. For a real flavour blast, scallops are occasionally sautéed with a foie gras sauce.
Roast Turkey or Capon with Chestnut Stuffing
Like other Christmas feasts worldwide, roast turkey with chestnut stuffing is perhaps the most traditional hearty meat dish for a French Christmas meal. You won’t find monster-sized turkeys in France as you do in North America. I remember chatting with a winemaker in Bordeaux a few years ago. The vintner told me about a visit to Canada during Thanksgiving and how astonished she was at the size of the turkey. She said she couldn’t believe it actually fit into the oven!
Capon, or castrated rooster, is also often used as it is incredibly tender, juicy, and flavorful. Sides can include green beans wrapped in bacon, roasted vegetables, and potatoes.
Bûche de Noël
No French Christmas dinner would be complete without the iconic Bûche de Noël. This classic French Christmas dessert is a sponge cake roulade shaped and decorated to resemble a Yule log. Often adorned with meringue mushrooms, holly leaves, and other festive decorations, the Bûche de Noël is a delightful treat that captures the spirit of Christmas.
Regional Variations: A Taste of Christmas Across France
While the dishes mentioned above are common throughout France, each region boasts its own unique Christmas specialties. In Alsace, you might find a delicious choucroute garnie (sauerkraut with sausages and meats), while in Provence, a traditional thirteen desserts platter is served after midnight mass. Brittany is known for its fresh seafood, so expect to see a variety of oysters, scallops, and other delicacies on the Christmas table.
From Champagne to Christmas Cookies: Festive Treats and Traditions
Beyond the main courses, French Christmas celebrations are filled with other culinary delights. Champagne flows freely throughout the evening, and sweet treats like marrons glacés (candied chestnuts), pain d'épices (gingerbread), and Christmas cookies are enjoyed by people of all ages.
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