French Christmas Celebration Part 2 New [best] -

Then, Pépé did something strange. He took a log—a small piece of cherry wood—and placed it in the cold fireplace.

January 1st, Le Jour de l'An , is a quiet national holiday spent recovering from the night before, making phone calls to extended relatives, and eating a relaxed lunch featuring hot soup and roasted meats. Les Étrennes: The Season of Giving Back french christmas celebration part 2 new

Just one week after Christmas Eve, France sits down for another marathon feast on December 31st, known as . Then, Pépé did something strange

You no longer slice it. You break it with your hands. This is called la dégustation sauvage (wild tasting), and it is trending in all Parisian dinner parties. Serve it with a glass of Crémant (cheaper than Champagne, equally festive). Les Étrennes: The Season of Giving Back Just

In Southern France, the feast isn't over until the table is covered with the Treize Desserts

Building on the core traditions of the season, this second look at the dives into the regional magic and modern twists that keep the holiday fresh. While the Réveillon feast remains the heartbeat of the holiday, the way France celebrates is evolving with new culinary trends and localized customs that vary from the snowy peaks of the Alps to the sun-drenched coast of Provence. The Provençal "Thirteen Desserts"