Christmas Traditions in Provence - la Fete des Rois
Today, January 6th, La Fete des Rois or the Epiphany marks the end of the Calandale in Provence. The Calandale is the Christmas season that stretches from St. Barbe's Feast Day on December 4th through Christmas and New Year to la Fete des Rois.
The Fete is celebrated with family and friends who gather to enjoy the Galette des Rois.
At the beginning of the year, right after St. Sylvestre, the windows of Patisseries and Supermarkets display their selection of Galettes
- a puff pastry or brioche tarte filled with Frangipane, an almond flavored custard like filling.
Our first experience of La Fete des Rois was three years ago,
at the home of our neighbors in Sablet.
We were invited for galette at 4pm.
We were joined there by other neighbors and friends
who started the late afternoon party with Champagne
and of course galette - three different types.
As the galettes were cut and distributed,
those who found the feves ( the small porcelaine figure)
in their slice of galette were the "king" and "queen" who
dutifully wore the gold cardboard crowns that came with the galettes
for the duration of the evening ...............
whilst dispensing many Royal commands to serve more wine.
One of the Boulangeries in Sablet prominently display both types of
Galette des Rois, puff pastry and brioche
So..... we leave Christmas in Provence for this year ..... the trees will come down, the lights put away till next year,
the "Chimney Climbing Pere Noels" (often seen decorating chimneys)
will climb down for another year
......... now we will turn our attention to truffles!
Posted by Marianne at 1/6/2011 5:38 PM 
Categories: Provence, Christmas in Provence, Village of Sablet, Vacation, Vacation Rentals in Provence, village in provence, France, Christmas Traditions in Provence, Travel
Categories: Provence, Christmas in Provence, Village of Sablet, Vacation, Vacation Rentals in Provence, village in provence, France, Christmas Traditions in Provence, Travel
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