Nothing says ‘festive spirit’ quite like wandering around a Christmas market.
Wooden chalet villages and twinkling Ferris wheels have been set up in city centres around the country in anticipation of the holly jolly season.
We take you on a language-learning tour of a typical French marché de noël - from le village gourmand with its tasty pastries and regional specialties, to la fête foraine complete with festive fair rides and skating rinks.
Le village gourmand
Let’s not sugarcoat it, the best thing about Christmas markets is the food - whether munching on warm raclette baguettes or tucking into crunchy churros.
Most French Christmas markets sell traditional dishes from different regions of the country, which can be unfamiliar and confusing for language learners.
Flammekueche- This savory dish, which translates as ‘pie baked in the flames’ is a speciality of the Alsace region. It resembles a thin pizza with a rolled dough base in the shape of a rectangle or oval. It is typically topped with fromage blanc or crème fraîche, thinly sliced onions and lardons.
Chestnuts are often sold by street vendors during winterMarka777/Shutterstock
Châtaignes grillées/marrons chauds - Chestnuts roasting on an open fire… as the classic tune goes. These are a Christmas market staple, traditionally heated in a cast iron skillet with their nutty aromas filling the air.
Pain d'épices - Although literally translated as ‘spiced bread,’ pain d'épices has more of a dense cakey consistency. It is sweetened with honey and seasoned with spices such as cinnamon, coriander, ginger or star anise. It is particularly associated with the north-east of France, mainly in Dijon (Côte-d'Or), Reims (Marne) and Alsace.
Nougat de Montélimar - This nougat is produced in the town of Montélimar (Drôme). The speciality is made with almonds, honey, and a light mousse of egg whites. It has recently been awarded European Union geographical protected status.
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Merveilleux - These small chocolate-covered mounds of marshmallow fluff on a biscuit base date back to the late 19th Century. They are similar to Tunnock’s Tea Cakes and often come in different ‘flavours’ such as lemon or caramel. The biscuit’s name has a controversial history as many French people used to call them tête-de-nègre up until very recently - a term which can be considered offensive.
Aligot - A delicious dish originating in the southern Aubrac region of France, made from cheese blended into mashed potatoes, seasoned with salt and garlic.
Raclette is popular in France, especially as a winter dishM. Gahmann / Shutterstock
Raclette - You are surely familiar with this classic melted cheese dish which sparks a Swiss versus French origin debate. It has become trendy in recent years for vendors to offer raclette-filled baguette sandwiches, usually accompanied with potatoes, vegetables or meat.
Rillettes - This preservation method is similar to confit where meat (traditionally goose or duck) is slowly cooked over several hours. The meat is shredded and packed into containers covered in fat. It is traditional to cities such as Tours (Indre-et-Loire) , Le Mans (Sarthe) and Angers (Maine-et-Loire).
Bretzel - This Alsacian delicacy is very similar to a pretzel. It is a salted brioche dough in the form of a knot, usually seen hanging on wooden pegs when sold at markets. It can also come with different toppings.
Vin chaud is one of the most common offerings at Alsatian Christmas marketsx.marynka/Shutterstock
Vin chaud - A hot spiced alcoholic drink known as mulled wine. In the 13th Century, Montpellier was renowned for its spiced wine trade, but it was in the late 1800s that hot mulled wine became associated with Christmas.
Chichis - While churros originated in Spain, the chichi is a speciality of Toulon (Var) and Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône). It is a long, sugar-coated fried doughnut which often comes served in a paper cone with optional sweet dipping sauces. Chichis are also often sold alongside gaufres (waffles) and crêpes.
Once you have recovered from your festive feasting, you might like to take a ride on some fairground attractions.
Most Christmas markets have a small selection of rides for children (or adults) to enjoy and some might even install a skating rink.
Une grande roue - Literally translating as ‘a big wheel,’ and also known as a Ferris wheel.
Un manège - This multi-use word can refer to a merry-go-round, carousel or fairground ride.
Une patinoire - Ice rinks are typically found at large Christmas markets. It is the perfect time to wrap up warm and practice patinage (skating) with patins à glace (ice skates).
Une piste de roller - Roller rinks and patinage à roulette (roller skating) is becoming a common alternative to ice skating due to the reduced environmental impact.
Many Christmas villages also feature market stalls hosted by local artists and creators offering gifts or trinkets that have been faits à la main (handmade).
These could make great souvenirs or gifts for loved ones to open on Christmas day.
Many Christmas markets in France open in late NovemberVille de Nice
Une boule à neige - A snow globe.
Un casse-noisette - A nutcracker.
Une boule de Noël - A Christmas bauble.
Une bougie de Noël - A Christmas candle.
Papier cadeau - It literally translates as ‘gift paper.’ Some vendors might offer to wrap your purchase if you plan to offer it as a present.
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