a Traditional French Holiday Song

Noël Nouvelelet

Vive le vent - chanson de Noël

This is a slightly different version of the Jingle Bells that we sang in class. BUT, the different lyrics are included with the song here.

Mon Beau Sapin - chanson de Noël

Do you recognize this one??

Rudolph au petit nez rouge - chanson de Noël

Petit Papa Noël - chanson

Ecoutez et chantez!  (refer to the pink song sheet from class)

Chanson de Nöel

How about this one??

Je te dis Joyeux Nöel

A wonderfully fun singer, Henri Dès, sings "We Wish You A Merry Christmas".

les Santons de Noël

Christmas in France is a time for get togethers with family and friends. It is a time to worship together, dine together and enjoy together.

Arranging the Nativity scene is a popular custom associated with the French Christmas season. During Christmas, nearly every home in the country displays a Nativity scene or creche which is the center of Christmas celebrations for families. Little clay figures called "santons" or "little saints" are placed in the creche. The "santons" are made by craftsmen in the south of France throughout the year. Throughout the Christmas season, the figures are sold at annual Christmas fairs in Marseille and Aix. (theholidayspot.com)

Here in the USA, the figurines in the manger are made from plastic, resin or, if they are really old or expensive, clay or porcelain. In France, 'santons' are handmade and can be found in most French homes, either in a manger or village scene for the holidays. Watch this video to get an idea of what these figurines look like and how they are made.

Chanson de Nöel

Do you recognize this one??

Traditional French Carol

This is a traditional bourgignon holiday song (from the Burgundy region). It is most similar to the 12 Days of Christmas but is translated to the 12 Months of the Year.

This version is sung by a class of French children and is very cute!

les sabots de Noël

According to tradition, on Christmas Eve children leave their shoes or wooden clogs by the fireplace filled with carrots and treats for Père Noël's donkey, Gui (French for "Mistletoe") before they go to bed. Père Noël takes the offerings and, if the child has been good, leaves presents in their place. Presents are traditionally small enough to fit in the shoes; candy, money or small toys.^[1]

The apparel of Pere Noel is akin to the older garb of Santa Claus in a long red hooded robe, edged with white fur. His presents are carried not in a sack, but in a basket or hotte on his back, like those carried by grape harvesters. Père Nöel is said to travel with his stern disciplinarian companion Père Fouettard who reminds him how each child has behaved during the past year.  Le Père Fouettard, who is a sinister figure dressed in black, spanks children who have behaved badly.  He carries long thin sticks to leave for parents to discipline naughty children!  A popular Christmas song for French children is Petit Papa Nöel. Children write letters to Père Nöel in the hope of getting presents from him. Their wishes are fulfilled when they wake up in the morning to find not only their gifts but also sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys hanging somewhere closeby. Adults generally wait until New Year's Day to exchange gifts.

Noël en France

France is primarily a catholic country and so it celebrates Christmas or Nöel.  However, there are some French who celebrate Hannukah, Kwanza, Diwali and other season appropriate holidays, according to their religion.

Here is some information on how the French celebrate Nöel.

On the eve of Christmas churches and cathedrals are beautifully lit with candles, church bells are rung and Christmas carols are sung by all present. In cathedral squares, the story of Christ's birth is re-enacted by both players and puppets. On Christmas Eve, after the midnight mass is over, a very late supper known as "Le réveillon" is held.

The food consumed at réveillons is generally exceptional or luxurious. For example, appetizers may include lobster, oysters, escargots or foie gras, etc. One traditional dish is turkey with chestnuts.  The menu for the meal varies from region to region within the country. While goose is the main course in Alsace, it is oysters and pat de foie gras in Paris. In Burgundy it is turkey with chestnuts.  The name of this dinner is based on the word réveil (meaning "waking"), because participation involves staying awake until midnight and beyond.(wikipedia)

Dessert may consist of a bûche de Noël.   The "bûche de Noël", meaning "Christmas Log", is a traditional Yule log-shaped cake specially prepared here for Christmas and is an indispensable part of the grand French Christmas feast.  In Provence, the tradition of the 13 desserts is followed: 13 desserts are served, almost invariably including: pompe à l'huile (a flavoured bread), dates, etc.  [The thirteen desserts are the traditional dessert foods used in celebrating Christmas in the French region of Provence. The "big supper" (le gros souper) ends with a ritual 13 desserts, representing Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles. The desserts always number thirteen but the exact items vary by local or familial tradition.^[1] The food traditionally is set out Christmas Eve and remains on the table three days until December 27.^[2]]

The custom of Christmas tree decoration has never been that popular in France. The use of the Yule log has faded in the country, though in the southern parts a log is burned in individual homes from Christmas Eve until New Years Day. (theholidayspot.com)

Do they put up Christmas lights in Paris?