What Is Le Reveillon In France And What Do They Eat?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The most traditional of French New Year’s food at le Reveillon, includes

foie gras, oysters, and plenty of wine and Champagne

, among other indulgences. …

What is Reveillon dinner?

The History of Reveillon Dinners

Derived from the French word for “awakening,” Reveillon originally was

a meal served after midnight mass on Christmas Eve

. Early New Orleans was almost entirely Catholic, and virtually the entire community would participate in these ceremonies.

What is Le Reveillon?

A réveillon (French: [ʁevɛjɔ̃] ( listen)) is

a long dinner held in the evening preceding Christmas Day and Valentines day

. Its name descends from the word réveil (meaning “waking”), because participation involves staying awake until morning, as the meal finishes.

What is the purpose of Reveillon?

Le réveillon is the evening before Christmas (Christmas Eve) and the evening before New Year’s Day (New Year’s Eve). In both instances the evening is a

celebration involving a gathering of family and/or friends and a celebratory meal

.

What do they eat for Christmas in France?

The main Christmas meal, called ‘

Réveillon’

, is eaten on Christmas Eve/early Christmas morning after people have returned from the midnight Church Service. Dishes might include roast turkey with chestnuts or roast goose, oysters, foie gras, lobster, venison and cheeses.

How do the French celebrate Le Nouvel An?

Many people in France start New Year’s Day at midnight while celebrating with friends or family members.

Public and private fireworks displays

are common. Many people drink champagne, sparkling white wine or hot wine (vin chaud).

What is the tradition of Réveillon in France?

Le Réveillon is a

traditional late night feast or party

held when families return from la Messe de Minuit (Midnight Mass) on Christmas Eve. While the food tradition varies from region to region, the meal is full of lavish delicacies including oysters, foie gras, escargot and roasted fowl.

Why do we not eat meat on Christmas Eve?

Origins and tradition

Christmas Eve is a vigil or fasting day, and the

abundance of seafood

reflects the observance of abstinence from meat until the feast of Christmas Day itself. … As no meat or animal fat could be used on such days, observant Catholics would instead eat fish (typically fried in oil).

How does New Orleans celebrate Christmas?

A highlight of the holiday season every year in New Orleans is

the bonfires on the levee

, built to guide Papa Noël (Santa Claus). Another spectacular yule time site is Candlelight Caroling in Jackson Square.

How do French families celebrate Christmas?

Many people in France

put up a Christmas tree

, visit a special church service, eat an elaborate meal and open gifts on Christmas Eve. Other activities also include walking in a park, participating in city life and sharing a meal with family and close friends.

What do most French do when the clock strikes midnight?

As the clock strikes midnight, people, with glass in hand, will begin to wish

others a ‘Bonne Année!

“. These well-wishes continue well into January as the French celebrate the New Year right up until the 1st February each year.

Who celebrates Reveillon?


Creoles living in New Orleans

adopted the tradition from the Europeans, and celebrated the “Réveillon,” a French word meaning “awaken.” The name comes from the wee hours of the morning in which the meal traditionally took place. Families would join together on Christmas Eve and attend Midnight Mass together.

Why do we eat turkey at Xmas?

The Christmas turkey tradition can be

traced back to Henry VIII

, who decided to make the bird a staple for the festive day. … Coupled with Edward VII making the turkey a fashion statement at Christmas, and Queen Victoria reopening trade with the USA, turkeys became the in-thing.

What do the French call Santa?


Père Noël

(French pronunciation: ​[pɛʁ nɔ. ɛl]), “Father Christmas”, sometimes called ‘Papa Noël’ (“Daddy Christmas”), is a legendary gift-bringer at Christmas in France and other French-speaking areas, identified with the Father Christmas and/or Santa Claus of English-speaking territories.

What is the most famous French Christmas dish?


Capon or Turkey with chestnut stuffing

This is the most popular and classic Christmas dish. Capon or Turkey is roasted in the oven with a generous chestnut stuffing. Sides are classic : chestnut again, green beans wrapped with bacon, truffle mashed potatoes…

What do the French drink on Christmas?

Festive French cocktails include

Kir Royale

, a gorgeous ruby-hued drink made from Champagne and Crème de Cassis or blackcurrant liqueur. Another classic is a Sidecar made with citrusy Cointreau and Cognac.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.