January Holiday Traditions Across the Francophone World

Dreaming of ringing in the New Year in France? No need to hop a flight—we’ve gathered details about the most popular January celebrations observed across many French-speaking countries, so you can add a little je ne sais quoi to your resolutions while staying stateside. Here’s a month full of fun holiday traditions from across the francophone world for you to adopt into your winter répertoire.

 

December 31: New Year’s Eve

On New Year’s Eve (known as La Saint-Sylvestre after the Catholic saint whose feast day falls on December 31), the French and Québecois typically dine in or out on a rich réveillon du nouvel an with family and friends, and then host or attend parties, similar to revelers around the world. In Senegal, large feasts featuring popular national dishes like thieboudienne and yassa are held among the community. They also take to the streets for dancing, live music, and costumed performances.

The French tune in for a televised speech (vœux présidentiels) by their president, and hang mistletoe in their homes for good luck, under which they kiss and shout bonne année! at midnight (never before—that’s considered bad luck!) In Paris, there’s a massive, highly-attended light show on the Champs-Élysées and a fireworks display at the Arc de Triomphe.

 

January 1: New Year’s Day

Parisians attend a morning parade on the Champs-Élysées, and in general the French like to gather with loved ones on this day to share small gifts, greeting cards, and resolutions. Contrary to here in America, Christmas cards in France aren’t popular—instead, they exchange and send out New Year’s Day versions throughout the month of January.

 

January 5: Twelfth Night 

This is exactly as it sounds: the twelfth night after Christmas, and the evening before the Epiphany. It’s famously a time for debauchery and shenanigans (Shakespeare wrote a whole play about it, after all!) and the French mark the occasion by eating a galette des rois, or king cake. It’s made of puff pastry and filled with frangipane (almond cream) and one very important item: a fève, or lucky charm, which can be anything from a bean to a figurine shaped like a baby to represent Christ. Whoever gets the slice with the fève is king or queen for the day (complete with a gold paper crown). Make your own galette des rois, or pick one up at your local pâtisserie.

 

January 6: Three Kings Day 

Also known as Epiphany or l’Épiphanie, this tradition calls on the Christian celebration of the day the rois mages (three wise men) visited the baby Jesus. The galette des rois is often eaten today, as well (the French enjoy the sweet throughout the month of January). In the south of France, a brioche des rois—a brioche ring topped with candied fruit— is enjoyed instead of the galette. Family gathers to enjoy a celebratory meal; afterwards they slice the cake, and the youngest member sits beneath the table and calls out the serving order. One slice is traditionally set aside for someone in need who may show up without an invitation.

 

January 30: National Croissant Day

One of France’s most iconic commodities deserves a day all its own—the flaky, buttery pastry was first introduced to the country by an Austrian who brought the baked good from Vienna in the 1830s. Though croissant means “crescent,” its shape belies a key ingredient differentiator: a curved croissant is made with margarine, and a straight croissant is made with butter. The traditional French way to enjoy a croissant is to rip off pieces and dip it in a coffee, tea, or chocolat chaud, so stock up with a selection from your favorite boulangerie and your beverage of choice so you can celebrate.

 

February 2: La Chandeleur

Yes, technically this is just past January, but it’s considered the final event in the French Christmas holiday cycle, so we’re including it amongst the other festivities. La Chandeleur, or jour des crêpes, is derived from Candlemas, marking the day Jesus was presented by Joseph and Mary at the Temple of Jerusalem. The French celebrate by making and eating crêpes; the food’s round shape stands for the sun and the season’s return to longer, lighter days; they also represent the holiday’s tradition of distributing food to the poor. Whip up a batch of your own and layer them with traditional fillings like lemon and sugar, nutella, or ham and cheese, or stop by one of our favorite French restaurants in New York City or Montclair, NJ to enjoy an order.

 

While you’re filling your January calendar with these holiday traditions from across the francophone world, consider including a few of L’Alliance New York’s exciting events or native speaker-led classes, as well.

 

Photo by David Griffen