Saint Nicolas: What is the festival celebrated in parts of France on December 6th?
While Christmas is the main event in terms of December festivals, certain parts of France have an extra day of celebration on December 6th.
Tuesday, December 6th marks Saint Nicolas Day and certain parts of France will mark this with parades, family celebrations and lots of gingerbread.
St Nicolas Day is a huge deal in Germany, where it's known as Nikolaustag, but certain areas of France celebrate it too, largely concentrated in the north east.
Listen to our discussion of St Nicolas with French Today founder Camille Chevalier-Karfis on this week's episode of Talking France. Download it here or listen on the link below.
The reason for this is connected to the history of Alsace-Lorraine, the historic region now part of the Grand-Est, which passed between French and German hands several times in the nineteenth century, leaving the inhabitants with a lot of German influences on language, cuisine and festivals.
READ ALSO Why is Good Friday not a holiday in (most of) France?
Decorated pain d'épices (gingerbread) is an important part of the festival. Photo: AFP
The north east of France is generally known as the 'Christmas centre' echoing many of the traditions of a German Christmas while Strasbourg, which hosts a huge Christmas market, bills itself as the 'Christmas capital of France'.
Saint Nicolas is said to have saved three children who were kidnapped by a butcher, and is therefore the patron saint of children. He is a different figure to Father Christmas (Père Noël), although some of some of his traditions are similar.
READ ALSO Why is Nikolaustage celebrated before Christmas in Germany?
Père Fouettard brings a whip to naughty children, while well-behaved ones get sweets. Photo: AFP
In France it's a bit more low key, but still an important tradition to the inhabitants of this part of France.
French language expert and founder of French today Camille Chevalier-Karfis, whose family is originally from the region, said: "It's an important festival in the Christian calendar but it's also important to families who grew up in that area, my mother always liked to have us all visiting for Saint Nicolas.
"He is the patron saint of children and traditionally on December 6th he brings little gifts - sweets, dried fruits, chocolate or gingerbread - for children. But - crucially - only well-behaved children, naughty children get a visit from Père Fouettard who brings a whip for bad kids.
"Traditionally Père Fouettard had black servants but that doesn't really happen any more.
"For some strict Catholic families in that area, Christmas is celebrated purely as a religious event and so Saint Nicolas is the time for visiting family, having a nice dinner together and giving little gifts.
Many places also have parades or festivals of Saint Nicolas, while shops in the Alsace region sell the region's famous decorated gingerbread.
Camille added: "Celebrating Saint Nicolas as well as Christmas is actually quite practical - if my whole family are together for Saint Nicolas then we can visit in-laws or other family members at Christmas."
Camille Chevalier-Karfis is a French language expert, and founder of FrenchToday.com.
See Also
Tuesday, December 6th marks Saint Nicolas Day and certain parts of France will mark this with parades, family celebrations and lots of gingerbread.
St Nicolas Day is a huge deal in Germany, where it's known as Nikolaustag, but certain areas of France celebrate it too, largely concentrated in the north east.
Listen to our discussion of St Nicolas with French Today founder Camille Chevalier-Karfis on this week's episode of Talking France. Download it here or listen on the link below.
The reason for this is connected to the history of Alsace-Lorraine, the historic region now part of the Grand-Est, which passed between French and German hands several times in the nineteenth century, leaving the inhabitants with a lot of German influences on language, cuisine and festivals.
READ ALSO Why is Good Friday not a holiday in (most of) France?
Decorated pain d'épices (gingerbread) is an important part of the festival. Photo: AFP
The north east of France is generally known as the 'Christmas centre' echoing many of the traditions of a German Christmas while Strasbourg, which hosts a huge Christmas market, bills itself as the 'Christmas capital of France'.
Saint Nicolas is said to have saved three children who were kidnapped by a butcher, and is therefore the patron saint of children. He is a different figure to Father Christmas (Père Noël), although some of some of his traditions are similar.
READ ALSO Why is Nikolaustage celebrated before Christmas in Germany?
Père Fouettard brings a whip to naughty children, while well-behaved ones get sweets. Photo: AFP
In France it's a bit more low key, but still an important tradition to the inhabitants of this part of France.
French language expert and founder of French today Camille Chevalier-Karfis, whose family is originally from the region, said: "It's an important festival in the Christian calendar but it's also important to families who grew up in that area, my mother always liked to have us all visiting for Saint Nicolas.
"He is the patron saint of children and traditionally on December 6th he brings little gifts - sweets, dried fruits, chocolate or gingerbread - for children. But - crucially - only well-behaved children, naughty children get a visit from Père Fouettard who brings a whip for bad kids.
"Traditionally Père Fouettard had black servants but that doesn't really happen any more.
"For some strict Catholic families in that area, Christmas is celebrated purely as a religious event and so Saint Nicolas is the time for visiting family, having a nice dinner together and giving little gifts.
Many places also have parades or festivals of Saint Nicolas, while shops in the Alsace region sell the region's famous decorated gingerbread.
Camille added: "Celebrating Saint Nicolas as well as Christmas is actually quite practical - if my whole family are together for Saint Nicolas then we can visit in-laws or other family members at Christmas."
Camille Chevalier-Karfis is a French language expert, and founder of FrenchToday.com.
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