How to Celebrate Christmas in France

Are you planning on spending the holidays in France? There's more to do and see than visiting the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower at this time of year. It may be worth your time to learn a few facts about celebrating Christmas in France; it will certainly enhance your holiday experience.

Instructions

1. Place your shoes in front of the fireplace on Christmas Eve. Whereas in the United States, children expect to have their stockings filled with candy and gifts, in France it's shoes.

2. Attend Christmas Mass at a local church--a thousand-year tradition. Mass is typically held at midnight.

3. After Mass, go to a restaurant (many stay open all night) to eat "Le Réveillon," a feast of considerable size featuring turkey, chicken, or goose. Stuff yourself!

4. Light a candle in your house before you go to sleep on Christmas Eve, to burn throughout the night. The candle is meant to light the house just in case Christ's mother, Mary, passes through.

5. Exchange gifts on Christmas Eve or on Christmas morning.

Tips & Warnings

• "Joyeux Noël" is "Merry Christmas" in French.