What do France call Santa Claus?

Santa Claus, as in other cultures and languages, there are many ways to call Santa Claus in French, like, “Père Noël”, “Papa Noël”, “Saint Nicolas”. The most commonly used “Père Noël”.

What is France version of Santa?

Père Noël (French pronunciation: [pɛʁ nɔ. ɛl]), "Father Christmas", sometimes called 'Papa Noël' ("Daddy Christmas"), is a legendary gift-bringer at Christmas in France and other French-speaking areas, identified with the Father Christmas and/or Santa Claus of English-speaking territories.

How do you say dear Santa Claus in French?

Letter to Santa - in French : Cher Père Noël.

Does French Santa say Ho Ho Ho?

Although the Père Noël largely resembles this image, there are a few differences that make him French – and no, it's not because he walks around with a baguette and cigarette in hand, nor does he say “Oh là là” instead of “Ho ho ho”. Here are a few reasons why the French Santa Claus is different.

What do the French call Christmas?

In France, Santa is called Père Noël (pronounced Peh-r No-eh-l), literally 'Father Christmas. ' As you may have guessed, the word for 'Christmas' is Noël, and it's named after the Saint who is celebrated on December 25. Back before Père Noël became the symbol of Christmas, the French celebrated Saint Nicolas.

Ryan Caught Santa Claus on Christmas!!

What do French people say at Christmas?

The most common way to say Merry Christmas in French is “joyeux Noël”. This isn't a general holiday greeting, it is in fact only really said around Christmas day, on the 24th, 25th and 26th December.

How would Santa say Merry Christmas in Paris?

It's not complicated: Joyeux Noël ! Joyeux in French means “merry,” “happy,” or “joyous,” - and the French phrase is very similar to the English phrase “Joyous Christmas.” You can also note the word joyeux in many other greetings - for example, in the “Happy Birthday” wishes (Joyeux anniversaire !)

How do we say Santa Father Christmas in French?

Père Noël

The name Père Noël literally translates to "Father Christmas." The original version of Père Noël has a robe and wicker basket, and he wanders with his donkey, Gui (which translates to "mistletoe").

What does Germany call Santa?

Santa Claus - Der Weihnachtsmann

The term Weihnachtsmann is a very generic German term for Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus. The German Weihnachtsmann is a fairly recent Christmas tradition having little if any religious or folkloric background.

What is the opposite to Santa in France?

Père Fouettard (French for 'Father Whipper' / 'Old Man Whipper'; pronounced [pɛʁ fwɛtaʁ]) is a character who accompanies Saint Nicholas on his rounds during Saint Nicholas Day (6 December) dispensing lumps of coal and/or beatings to naughty children while St. Nicholas gives gifts to the well behaved.

What do France eat at Christmas?

Christmas Dinner

Dishes might include roast turkey with chestnuts or roast goose, oysters, foie gras, lobster, venison and cheeses. For dessert, a chocolate sponge cake log called a bûche de Noël is normally eaten. Another celebration, in some parts of France, is that 13 different desserts are eaten!

What do kids leave for Santa in France?

In France, children leave out carrots and cookies in their shoes. The French make sure Santa Claus isn't hungry by leaving him treats — like biscuits — as well as carrots for the reindeer. They typically leave the goodies in their shoes and awake to find the food gone and presents in their place.

Does Santa come down the chimney in France?

On the night of December 5 he is said to visit the houses of children by sliding down the chimney to bring them gifts. Children place their shoes on their doorstep for Saint Nicolas to fill with treats, as well as something for him to drink and a carrot for his donkey.

Do the French put up Christmas trees?

Decorating for Christmas is very common in France. Many households, public spaces, and businesses are decorated with lights and Christmas trees. Advent wreaths (Couronnes de l'Avent) are also common, they are made up of fir and pine tree branches for the first Sunday of Advent.

What is the old French word for Christmas?

The first records of the word Noel in English come from the early 1800s. It comes from French Nöel—the French way of saying “Merry Christmas” is Joyeux Noël. The word derives from Latin word nātālis (diēs), meaning “birthday.” Another name for Christmas is Nativity.

Does France believe in Santa Claus?

Santa Claus is 'Père Noël' in France, and on Christmas Eve, he travels around the world handing out presents. The tradition used to be for French children to fill their shoes with carrots for Père Noël's donkey and put them by the fireplace, but today that has been replaced with the Christmas tree.

What is Santa called in Russia?

Unlike the bloated, red-coated father Christmas of the West, Russia's Santa Claus, known as Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost), is slender with a wizard-like flowing beard and he wears a long robe that comes in different colors, such as blue and white.

What is the most Christmassy town in France?

Strasbourg, Capital of Christmas.

Does France have Santa or another figure?

No 8 Le Père Noël – Santa Claus

Like many other countries, France has its own version of Santa Claus, and he's called Père Noël. While Le Père Noël may share a global reputation with Santa Claus, the French iteration of this beloved character has its own set of customs and stories.

What do the French call Christmas dinner?

Everyone's favourite meal of the year

And in France, as with present-giving days, the big Christmas meal is often eaten on a different day, as well. The prevailing tradition in France is for everyone to sit down together and feast on the 24th December for a long, often luxurious meal called a réveillon.

What gender is Christmas in French?

Noelle or Noëlle is the feminine form of the gender neutral name Noel. It derives from the old French Noël, "Christmas," a variant (and later a replacement) of nael, which itself derives from the Latin natalis, "birthday".

What is a fun fact for Christmas in France?

Some French people enjoy 13 desserts after their main meal. One Christmas tradition specific to the region of Provence is known as 'les Treize'. It involves eating 13 different desserts after having eaten the main meal. These 13 desserts are meant to represent Jesus and his 12 disciples.

Is Christmas big in France?

As it is in so many places, Christmas in France is all about family, friends, and food. While it's generally a low-key affair marked by gatherings of relatives and treats for children, it also has the culinary high point of the year: Le Réveillon de Noël (Christmas Eve dinner).