The Christmas traditions from one country to the next may have similarities, but each country has their own set of special traditions they adhere to, and France is no exception. To learn more about how Christmas is celebrated in France, check out the links on this page.

Santa Claus, who is known as la Pere Noël to French children, visits some of the children of France on December 6, for the Feast of Saint Nicholas. In other areas he comes on Christmas Eve night. The children write down their Christmas wishes on a piece of paper and then leave the list inside their shoe for Pere Noël to find. In return, Pere Noël leaves small gifts inside the shoe and hangs gifts and trinkets on the tree.BBC Language: A French Christmas

Partner to Pere Noël, le Pere Fouettard, or the Whipping Father, is charged with punishing bad boys and girls with a spanking.Kaboose: Legend of St. Nicholas