French Christmas Celebration Part 2

Note: Some families, especially those with young children, now host Réveillon on the 24th but finish by midnight, moving gift-giving to the morning of the 25th.

The grand finale of the French Christmas season occurs on January 6 with Epiphany, or Fête des Rois. This day is synonymous with the "Galette des Rois," a puff pastry cake filled with frangipane. Hidden inside the cream is a "fève," a small porcelain or plastic figurine. The person who finds the fève in their slice is crowned king or queen for the day and must wear a gold paper crown. In the south of France, this tradition takes the form of the "Gâteau des Rois," a brioche ring decorated with candied fruits representing jewels. French Christmas Celebration Part 2