If it’s Friday, it must be France …
Every year the holiday season seems to roll around a little faster! Do you find that as well?
Winter is coming, as we saw from those unbelievable photos of lake-effect snow in north-western New York a few weeks ago. That was jaw-dropping! If you happened to miss it, click here for more images.
In France things are calmer, although there’s been way more rain than is necessary lately. The majestic Alps that form a backdrop behind Nice are snow-capped, although the ski resorts are still waiting patiently for a bountiful delivery, or at least colder temperatures, from Mother Nature. If you want to keep in touch with the ski conditions on the slopes around Nice, click right here.
Calendales (from the provencal word for Christmas), began on December 4 in France, on Saint Barbara’s Day or la fête de la Sainte-Barbe. This marks the beginning of a lengthy period of celebration that blends Christian and pagan traditions. 
In most homes and shop windows, on the counter at la Poste, on the bar in all the cafés and even in the windows of the patisseries, saucers of sprouting lentils and wheat seeds will be on display.
Excerpt from Promises To Keep: “Joy had explained on the phone. “It’s a tradition that goes back to Roman times. The sprouts are carefully nurtured, and if they grow straight and green, there will be a bountiful harvest in the coming year. If they go yellow or droop over, then that’s bad news. Some of the wheat is used to decorate tables and crèches on Christmas Eve, but most bunches are wrapped with a red ribbon and cared for right through to la Chandeleur, la Fête de la Lumière, on February 2.”
My friend and favourite French language instructor, Ida Chiara Young, has instructions on her Facebook page if you want to grow your own little crop.
Christmas markets in France are well under way, many with ferris wheels and skating rinks as well as the ubiquitous, decorative carousels. Enticing aromas of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts fill the air.
This photo is from Place Massena in Nice and was sent to me by my friend, Teresa, who is enjoying the holidays there with her husband. Her Facebook page, French Provençal With A Twist, is a “must” to follow for all Francophiles. The photography and links are magnifique! I pop in every day.
When do you begin your holiday celebrating? Is there a special Christmas market in your town? If you have a Christmas tree, is it already up and decorated? I’ll be going back to Toronto next week and am looking forward to visiting the Christmas market in the Distillery District, shown below. It’s always a treat! Bon weekend tout le monde!
Well, how fascinating. The Ariege is only, as it were, just down the road from Provence, but Calendales forms no part of the pre-Christmas scene there. No sprouting lentils there! Isn’t it great that these regional traditions still thrive?
Yes, indeed. I think that’s one of the aspects that fascinates me about France. There are so many different regions that maintain unique and valued traditions.
We will be spending Christmas in Spain this year and it will be quite different. We have already attended a couple of celebrations. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas!!
Darlene, that’s wonderful! Where exactly will you be? Thanks for your good wishes and I send the same back to you and yours. We will all look forward to hearing about your adventures!
It’s full om Christmas here in NYC. Decorations and lights are up all around, and the famous tree is all a glimmer.
We have the wonderful Union Square Christmas Mart which is always fun to shop at. I am so behind!
I’ve always wanted to visit NYC at Christmas and go skating at Rockefeller Centre, see the Rockettes, and do and see everything else on the list of Christmas traditions. It all looks so fabulously special! Enjoy!
What beautiful pictures. Sounds like France has some amazing traditions this time of year.
I like to put my tree up right after Thanksgiving, but likewise I like to take it down before the new year. Usually New Year’s weekend I’m home undecorating the house. I like to start the new year all clean and new.
But I do enjoy the sparkling everything this time of year. Makes up for the gray days.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
“the sparkling everything this time of year” ~ Yes! That puts it all in perspective. Happy holidays!
I’d never heard of the Calendales holiday and la fete de la Sainte-Barbe. I love how every region in France has its own traditions. We have a nice little Christmas market here in Bratislava. Weather has been unseasonably warm, so it seems a little strange to not be shivering as you stand around clasping a mug of medovina (hot honey wine) and watching folkloric song and dance shows. Once again, wishing you a wonderful holiday season.
A mug of medovina sounds like a delicious idea! Celebrate well!