We cannot write a "hot French Christmas celebration part 2" article without the most Instagrammable (and terrifying) moment of the night: the flambé.
Here are a few of the typical Christmas traditions that French families look forward to every year. * Advent: A Countdown to Noël. My French Country Home Magazine French Christmas traditions - Eurotunnel french christmas celebration part 2 hot
: Many families still attend traditional late-night church services, often returning home afterward for the main Réveillon My French Country Home Magazine Public Life and Scheduling We cannot write a "hot French Christmas celebration
Wait—isn't the Yule log a cake? Usually, yes. But in part 2 of our "hot" theme, we must mention the actual burning log. In rural Provence and parts of Southern France, an old tradition remains: Le Cacho fio . After the church service, the family burns a huge cherry wood log in the fireplace. A local elder blesses it with mulled wine (more on that later) and prays for a fruitful harvest. The log is doused with hot wine to make it sizzle. This is the literal "hot" Christmas celebration that predates the cake. My French Country Home Magazine French Christmas traditions
In our previous post, we explored the traditional aspects of French Christmas celebrations. In this part, we'll dive into the festive and delicious aspects of Noël in France.
Here is the weirdest "hot" tradition. Between the main course and the cheese, the French of Normandy will serve Le Trou Normand —which means "the Norman hole." It is a shot of (apple brandy), but often it is served as a sorbet soaked in Calvados . The shocking part? They sometimes set the brandy on fire before pouring it over the apple sorbet. A blue flame dances on your spoon. You blow it out and eat the hot-cold, boozy slush. It cleans the palate like a blowtorch.
French Christmas isn’t all fancy platters and quiet carols. It’s steamy windows, sticky fingers, and cheeks flushed from wine and firelight. So grab a mug, pull up a chair, and get hot for the holidays.