One French village has gone to a special effort to welcome Santa Claus and his elves this Christmas, by installing new road signs to ensure their safe passage.
In the small village of Heuland, in Calvados, home to around 150 people, signs usually warning of speed limits are now accompanied by those warning of elves crossing and sleighs flying overhead.
Others include ‘Beware of Santa Claus crossing’, ‘Grinches not allowed’ and ‘Slow down: risk of spontaneous elf dancing.’
These new ‘North Pole rules of the road’, designed to help St Nick with his important work this December, were the brainchild of Heuland’s mayor, Yoan Morlot.
“For the past three years, I’ve been writing a municipal decree to inform residents of the rules in effect during the Christmas period,” he told The Connexion.
“Elves and Santa Claus have priority on the roads and, of course, in the town's airspace. Sleighs are allowed to fly over the town, respecting speed limits.”
And anyone not sharing the magic of Christmas better not show their faces.
“All grinches, professional complainers, and those who don't appreciate the Christmas spirit are banned from the town in December,” he said.
'No grinches allowed'.Yoan Morlot
Signs have been placed around the village informing residents of the new festive rules. And while many are humorous, some hide real advice for locals, such as reminding people to wear a helmet when riding an e-scooter:
‘Elves using enchanted scooters must wear a hat over their helmet, which is essential for safety.’
And warning of the real speed limit for cars:
‘Sleigh speed is limited to 30 km/h.’
Mayor Yoan Morlot with Father Christmas.Yoan Morlot
The village has been praised for its floral displays and efforts to protect the local bee population, so this year’s festive decree includes some special environmental-themed rules.
“Santa Claus may park his sleigh on Heuland’s rooftops… provided that he does not damage the plant decorations.”
And elves are kindly asked not to use family rooms in the village’s insect hotels, as those are reserved for bees.
Each year, Santa Claus makes a special visit to the village, and not always in his sleigh. Last year, he arrived in a vehicle special to this area of Normandy – a jeep used on D-Day in 1944.
Last year, Santa Claus arrived in a 1944 jeep.Yoan Morlot
This year, he will visit the around 40 children who live in the village on Saturday, December 20
The festive regulations have proved popular, helping to foster a community spirit in the small village. Locals look forward to what each year’s new signs might be.
“The residents of the town and the surrounding area send us many messages of joy each year and even ask me months in advance what we will be doing this year,” said Mr Morlot.
One local resident emailed Mayor Morlot: “Your Christmas initiative is very much appreciated and welcomed at this time of year. Here in Heuland, we are, and always will be, proud to celebrate this magical holiday.”
Another wrote “the ban on grinches made me laugh!”.
So, if Père Noël, or his elves, are looking for a place to rest this Christmas Eve, they should know they will receive a truly magical welcome in this corner of Normandy.
