rue 27 maison: Noël en France

Noël....I love a French Christmas...my husband & I have celebrated several holidays in France...our first Christmas, we were in Paris..it was beautiful with lots of lights, lots of people...everyone was in the holiday spirit. As we strolled the streets we passed by the Chestnuts vendors...roasting chestnuts...what a wonderful smell! The large stores Printemps & Galeries Lafayette were both stunningly decorated and filled with shoppers. It was very beautiful...a large magical city that felt intimate...all reveling in Christmas. The other times we celebrated in the countryside of France...it was very simple & very memorable...I loved everything....the food was simple, delicious & amazing, as were the decorations...Père Noël greeted everyone in the main street of the village on the morning of Christmas Eve....the entire village gathered in the centre ...shops had all their goods outside even though it was very cold...the butcher shop had fresh seafood iced down in front...large trays of prawns & fish...large containers of fresh greenery and fresh fruits were everywhere. Every shop closed at lunch on Christmas Eve. The main Christmas meal, called Réveillon, is eaten on Christmas Eve or early Christmas morning after people have returned from the midnight Church Service...roast turkey with chestnuts or roast goose, oysters, foie gras, lobster, venison and cheeses are usually on the menu. For dessert, a chocolate sponge cake log called a bûche de Noël is normally eaten. On Réveillon we had a fabulous dinner, with too many courses to count...each course more delicious then the previous...candles were everywhere...the emphasis was more on the celebration then gift giving. On the morning of Dec 25....the Christ child or enfant was placed in the creche in the town centre. It was authenic...thoughtful and beautiful...one of my fave Christmas ever...Sharing with you a few faves of a Noël en France...Wishing all a very Merry Christmas...Happy Holidays and Joyeux Noël...