What Is the Traditional Menu of French People for Christmas?

Hello everyone !

As some of you might know, I am French and I honestly think that French food is the best in the world, by far ( Not being chauvinistic here ah ah … )

Joke aside, the meals I had in France in Christmas ” réveillon de noël” ( new year eve ) were out of this world . Eating from 7 pm till 02 am, with a large dinner table and talking about anything . C’est la vie ! ( Such is life ) .

Main course is generally ” Chapon ” (castrated rooster ) in French Christmas tradition, but beware … Every families has different meals for ” le réveillon” . It depends on the region too .

The ” réveillon de noël” is celebrated on the December 24th ( many French peoples go to the church at 7-8 pm ) and you will find plenty of Christmas markets during the day ( especially in the east of France )

Bon appetit !

PLAN OF THE ARTICLE :

• Pre Appetizer (First l’apéro)
• First Course (l’entrée)
• Second course / main meal (le plat)
• Last course dessert (le dessert)

What Do They Eat For Food For Christmas In France?

Food French families eat during the Christmas day is quite different from what you are probably familiar with in other best places around the world. But, how do I know these? I have been in France a couple of times for the Christmas holiday and its one of my favorite holidays to spend in France.

Despite each family or region having its own preference or custom, Christmas food in France is a completely traditional version. If you are planning to spend your Christmas holiday in France, it is important that you get to know some of the common foods the French prefer having during the Christmas time. Food plays a crucial role in the success of any visit.

Here are some of the most common foods you will always come across during the Christmas time of year and on special occasions.

Christmas menu in France

Pre Appetizer (First l’apéro)

L’apéro is very important in France . almost nobody missed it , You have 1/2 drink before to start the meal wit some finger food .

What do French people prefer serving as an appetizer during the Christmas period?

Champagne

Champagne is not a dish but it is a drink you will serve for a classic Christmas Eve. There are people who might want to pour some crème de cassis blackcurrant liquor in Champagne to make Kir royal. However, if the champagne is of good quality, then there is no need.

There are several effervescent wines known as Crement from the Loire and Alsace region and several other regions of France. They tend to be less expensive when compared to champagne. Most French children like taking fake alcohol-free champagne during the Christmas period, birthday parties or any festive meal.

Foie Gras Terrine

Foie gras is homemade and a common pre-appetizer during the Christmas period. It is placed on different types of bread toasts, gingerbread or broche bread. There are times when it is used on onion confit or spread fig. Several great presentations can be served with Foie gras.

This is just an example . But Men can drink spirits or ” Ricard ” ( Most famous drink in France ) and Women ” mousseux ” ( sparkling wine ) or any white wine . The finger food can be ” Canapé” or any creative small ” amuse bouche ” to go with your apéro . French people are generally quite inventive .

First Course (l’entrée)

Smoked salmon

Any French person including the French children like smoked salmon on thin white sandwich or blinis. Smoked salmon has grown to become an essential during the Christmas day. In fact, it is eaten all year round and also used as an ingredient in several recipes.

Many French houses prepare Gravlax-style salmon today. As for me, I prefer serving smoked salmon for starter

or appetizer.

Scallops

The French love scallops since they are quite luxurious and delicate. Most people prefer to present scallops in the shell or fry them and thereafter dress them with sauce. One of the most favorite is the orange cream sauce that is perfectly braised with honey. The popularity of scallop tartar is growing by the day among the French.

Seafood Platter Together With Chilled Oyster

Oysters are mainly served on a huge platter that is mostly covered with ice to help keep them chilled. In most cases, oysters are served with lemon wedges to mignonette sauce that is made with chopped shallots, red wine vinegar and black pepper. For example, in my family in law, they find it better with a freshly ground pepper. Individuals who do not eat shells can always take mayonnaise and shrimps.

Second course / main meal (le plat de résistance )

Turkey or Capon

Capon or roast turkey with chestnut stuffing is the most classic and popular main dish during the Christmas period. This popular dish is usually roasted in the oven using chestnut stuffing. The sides are classic mixed with green beans well wrapped with bacon and truffle mashed potatoes. You can add some winter vegetables to the roasted capon. The guinea fowl can also be a great option since the portions are always smaller.

Cheese Platter (le plateau de fromage)

A cheese platter with several different types of cheese is a must have for any main French Christmas meal. They always arrange the cheese platter neatly and serve it with different types of breads. There are cheese course types that do have festive presentations like truffle camembert. They can also serve the cheese with green salad. In fact, this is a French habit that is perfect for those having rich or long meals.

Sophisticated Fish Preparations

Since Christmas is always a Christian feast, the fish is also used as an abstinence sign. Although the French like to have fish eggs during the Christmas, they always fancy species such as the sole, turbot, bass, monkfish together with sophisticated preparations like the morel blanquette monkfish with morel.

Wild Game

Wild game is rarely eaten during the year unless there is a hunter in the family. However, it is difficult for the game meats to miss out on Christmas tables. In most cases, the French marinate it in sweet white wine and serve it with cranberry sauce.

Last course dessert (le dessert)

Candied fruits and Exotic

Despite it being common to get exotic fruits all year round, it is always a habit having clementine, litchi, and mango, fruits at the end of every Christmas Eve meal and by extension dried fruits like dates or candied fruits that are at times stuffed with almond paste.

Chocolate Truffles

Choosing among the wide variety of tiny bite size Christmas cookies, dried fruits mendicants, bredele, chocolate, candied chestnuts, candied orange and black chocolate orangettes is quite difficult. Since Christmas is always synonymous with chocolates, chocolate truffles are always the ultimate greed. They are mainly made of black chocolate ganache well coated with cacao.

Bûche de Noël Yule Log Cake

Buche de noel is a very popular Christmas dessert. It is among the traditional French Christmas dishes representing real wood log that has been placed in the fireplace during the Christmas Eve. The le dessert is mainly made of garnished Swiss roll topped with butter cream and perfectly decorated using small figurines.

With the ice cream logs or entremets becoming a more popular choice amongst the French population chocolate, chestnut and pastry addicts are no longer the sole beloved flavors.

Conclusion

I hope you now have an idea on what type of French Christmas food to expect during your vacation in France during the Christmas holiday season. Be sure of having an unforgettable lifetime experience during the Christmas festive season in France.

Joyeux Noël !