Celebrate the Season with a Classic French Christmas Feast

When I first moved to France and ordered a turkey for Thanksgiving, the butcher, quite puzzled, referred to it as 'American Christmas.' Much like Thanksgiving in the U.S., a French Christmas is all about the food—far more than the decorations or gifts. Recreating a traditional French Christmas at home may take time and effort, but it promises a celebration of incredible flavors.

Start with Sparkling Wine and Elegant Bites

In France, the main Christmas meal typically happens on the evening of the 24th rather than the 25th, and it’s a lavish, multi-course extravaganza. The feast kicks off with Champagne, which is best enjoyed with small bites. As Christmas is a time to indulge, amuses bouches paired with France's iconic bubbly might include foie gras, caviar, smoked salmon, and oysters. Smoked salmon can be served as a refreshing tartare or in cucumber cups, while oysters, often presented raw with mignonette sauce (a blend of vinegar and shallots), are also delicious baked in the form of Oysters Rockefeller for a rich, briny flavor.

Starters

For the first course, the menu continues with a variety of "noble" ingredients, with seafood often taking center stage, particularly scallops. In French markets, scallops are commonly sold still in their shells, a method of preparation that’s just as popular at home. Try this recipe for Saint-Jacques with a creamy tarragon sauce, or if you can’t find scallops in the shell, simple baked scallops with a breadcrumb topping make a delightful alternative.

Escargots are another favored appetizer, typically broiled in garlic butter. They can be served in their shells, in mushroom caps, or tucked into flaky puff pastry vol-au-vents—a name that translates to 'windblown' due to their light and airy texture.

Starters like these are undeniably rich and satisfying, and since the meal is still just beginning, some families prefer lighter appetizers. Fish tartares, made with fresh sushi-grade tuna or salmon, are a stunning and surprisingly simple choice. For a professional touch, use a tuna can with both ends removed as a mold to shape the tartare into a beautiful, restaurant-quality presentation.

Main Course

The French main dish is typically a roast turkey, often accompanied by a flavorful chestnut stuffing (no wonder my butcher was so confused!). If you're not in the mood for the same roast from November, consider other options like duck or capon. Roasted chestnuts also make a perfect side, whether paired with Brussels sprouts or not. While turkey is the classic choice, some families opt for a hearty pork roast, ham, or even game meats such as wild boar for their festive feast.

As with many traditional French meals, a cheese course follows the main event, often featuring at least one luxurious truffle-infused selection. Options like Brie, the indulgent triple-cream Brillat-Savarin, or the creamy Chaource are all excellent choices. Be sure to serve them with high-quality French bread—if you can’t find a good bakery nearby, you can always make your own baguette at home.

Sweet Finale

But the indulgence doesn’t stop there… No French feast is complete without exquisite pastry, and for Christmas, the choice is clear: bûche de Noël, or Yule Log. This festive dessert features a delicate genoise sponge rolled with buttercream, then decorated to look like a log. Every year, French pastry chefs unveil their versions of this classic to the press as early as August. With so many tempting variations, many French families leave the final creation to the experts, purchasing a bûche from the local patisserie or opting for a lighter ice cream version. However, a homemade Yule Log is a stunning baking project, often adorned with marzipan, meringue, and other festive decorations. And since it can be made ahead of time, it makes for a perfect family activity during the holidays.

A French Christmas dinner can stretch over hours, and rightly so! But if, after all the indulgence, you still have room for a final treat, reach for a clementine or mandarin. Once a popular holiday gift, this charming citrus fruit offers a light and refreshing end to a meal that's been all about abundance. Alternatively, a digestif like Armagnac offers a more potent, yet equally satisfying, way to cap off the feast. Or, follow the traditions of les Provençaux and go all out with Les Treize Desserts.

Merry Christmas!

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