Category: French New Year

In France, New Year’s greetings and king’s cakes go hand in hand. After all the Christmas bûches de Noël (yule log cakes), it’s immediately time for the galettes des rois (king’s or kings’ cakes). During the season of Epiphanie, also known as la Fête des rois (Three Kings Day, or Feast of the Epiphany, or…

Yesterday, my husband and I joined the crowds of bustling French shoppers picking up last minute items for Christmas. Yes, people were out buying gifts but the main attraction of course was the FOOD. This is France, after all. The boulangeries (bakeries), pâtisseries (pastry shops), boucheries (butchers), charcuteries (gourmet deli, though that term doesn’t do it justice in France!), poissoneries…

Bonne année à toutes et à tous! Happy New Year to all! As 2016 begins, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you a ‘très belle année 2016’ and thank you warmly for your support, readership and participation in French Affaires’ classes, cultural events and trips to France this past year. It has been a…

Move over les bûches de Noël (yule log cakes), it’s time for les galettes des rois (king’s cakes). In France, the holiday sweets keep coming even after Christmas with Epiphanie, also known as la Fête des rois (Three Kings Day, or Feast of the Epiphany), and its signature galette des rois. You can’t miss Epiphany…

In France, the holidays, or les fêtes de fin d’année and also known as la période des fêtes (note that the expression “le temps des fêtes” is used in French-speaking Canada), are about family, friends and feasting – especially the feasting. This applies to le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre (New Year’s Eve) in particular. French…

Bonjour, friends! As 2013 draws to a close and 2014 unfolds, I want to thank you for being a part of French Affaires this year. Whether you have joined us for French language classes or the French Cookbook Club or French travel and culture seminars or trips to France or personalized French travel planning or a little armchair travel…