Joyeux Noël et Belle Année 2021!

Dear France friends – With this unusual year coming to a close, the holiday spirit – French or otherwise! – seems especially important. Even with masks and limited gatherings and curfews, the French are readying their holiday plans and their gourmet Christmas eve and New- year’s eve dinners – arguably the most festive meals on the French calendar – and chilling their champagne. And we can’t forget their yummy bûches de Noël for dessert. It’s been challenging in France (as elsewhere) but everyone I know is looking forward to a new year and a new season of life. Naturally, I am looking forward to an entirely new year with my work. With vaccines being approved and starting to roll out, I am hopeful that France travel will resume relatively soon. So our Francophile travelers can keep those travel notebooks handy, those suitcases at the ready and those passports up to date!

I have always loved France at Christmas time…the traditions, the sights and scents, the cuisine, the more understated (and less consumerist) approach. In Paris and all over the country, Christmas decorations are lovely yet generally more subdued than in America (though there seems to be increasing bling in Paris and the larger cities). Over the years, I have been charmed by French wreaths on front doors which vary from region to region and of course, house to house, so much so that I have collected photos of them from my France holiday travels. It is thought that the European tradition of advent wreaths began with the Lutherans in Germany in 16th century. Today in France, advent wreaths adorn churches near the altar and also home front doors as a symbol of the season’s true spirit and of holiday cheer.

Fitting with the season, see my French holiday wreath tour below with a few examples from all around France. Which is your favorite? Know that I wish you every joy and happiness this December and send a warm ‘Joyeux Noël’ and ‘Joyeuses fêtes’ to you and yours! As always, un grand MERCI for your friendship and support. A bientôt, Elizabeth

P.S. Check out our new spring calendar bringing you a wonderful mix of virtual events and mini-courses, in-person events (for our U.S. friends) and live-from-France special visits. More surprises to come too. Hope you can join us for a bit of France wherever you are!

4 thoughts on “Joyeux Noël et Belle Année 2021!

  1. I love them all but my favorite is wreath #2. There’s something very charming about a large asymmetrical wreath decorated with an abundance of colorful ornaments and tied to a dilapidated door. Very French!

  2. They are all so French! I vote for #1. The red berries and silver wire balls are fun, unique, simple, and elegant! Merry Christmas!

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