Noël en France

In France, many celebrate on Christmas day with close family and friends. The Christmas season is a time for famille, offre et souvenir, which many express by spending the holiday season with loved ones, giving to the poor, going to Midnight Mass, and le Réveillon.

Christmas is generally celebrated on the 25^th décembre, but (depending on the district) may be celebrated at another time, sometimes stretched over multiple days.

Traditions françaises;

* Children in France leave their shoes in front of the fireplace hoping that gifts from    Père Noël will fill them.

* Fruit, candies, nuts and small toys decorate the Christmas tree overnight.

* Similar to a tradition in other countries (Santa Clause leaving the naughty children coal), the bogeyman/Père Fouettard delivers spankings to bad children.

* Children who write letters to Santa receive a postcard in response

* Placing candles in the windows on the 8^th of December in Lyon, is a tradition honouring the Virgin Mary.

Nourritures de Noël:

During the Christmas season, there are many delicious foods. Exquisite dishes, sugary desserts and brilliant drinks crowd the tables.

*Foie gras is a traditional dish of fattened (by force-feeding through a gavage) duck/goose liver. The …interesting… dish is described as rich, buttery and delicate although this is one dish I don’t intend on trying.  

* Bûche de Noël is a popular dessert at Christmas feasts. The chocolate log is a sponge cake decorated to resemble one of the dense logs placed in the fire during the traditional Yule/Christmas season. Usually, extra decorations are added to these cakes such as powdered sugar (snow), berries and mushrooms made of meringue.

* Après les nombreux cours, le vin ou le champagne est souvent apprécié*

Lieux à visiter

1.Musée du Louvre – Home to one of the most famous paintings, The Mona Lisa.

Built in the 12th century, the historic museum is one of the largest museums in the world with more than 8 million visitors each year. Almost 35,000 paintings, drawings, antiques, sculptures and other art pieces live within the walls of this incredible building. The building was previously a fortress, then extended creating the present day Louvre. During the French Revolution, it was decided that the palace should be used as a museum to display the nation’s masterpieces.

This is one of the most worldly recognised buildings and, even without an intense love for art, anyone would enjoy visiting this magnificent building during their travels of France.

*Musee D’Orsay et Musée de l’Orangerie sont aussi tres bien à visiter

2. La Tour Eiffel – the most notorious symbol of both Paris and France.

The beautiful iron lattice tower of Paris was constructed in 1889 and has become a global cultural icon of France and one of the world’s most recognisable structures. The 324 metre tall monument is about the same height as an 81-storey building and is the second tallest structure in France. More than 200,000,000 people have visited the tower since its creation in 1889 making the Eiffel Tower the most-visited paid monument in the world!

According to statistics, it is obviously a must-see attraction that needs to be placed on this list.

3. Château De Versailles –  

Versailles is beautiful; the palace itself is one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th-century French art. Take a stroll through the hall of mirrors, explore the King’s Grand Apartments and look at the exhibits while wandering through the Museum of the History of France.

The beautiful gardens surrounding the palace are easy to get lost in. Situated to the west of the palace, the 800 hectares of intricate garden are landscaped in the classic French Garden style.

Don’t forget to have a look at Marie Antoinette’s Estate – (Looks like a cottage from a fairy tale!)

4. Arc De Triomphe – Another famous monument of France…

The Arc de Triomphe stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle – an intersection in Paris, France connecting twelve avenues. The Arc de Triomphe honours those who fought and died for their country in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic War. A visit to the Arc de Triomphe gives visitors a chance to see this architectural wonder with available climbs to the top for a great view over part of Paris.

5.   Catacombes De Paris –

More morbid than most other places in France, the Catacombs of Paris are maze of intricate tunnels and caverns (the remains of Paris’s stone mines) that hold the remains of about 6 million people. The underground cemetery’s walls are lined with ancient bones, some sections arranged in an almost artistic nature. For those wishing to explore the darker aspects of France, the tours would be a fantastic experience.

MUSIC

France has been through many different eras which brought many different genres, each eclectic and unique from each other. Some of these genres include classical music, folk music, popular music and contemporary music – with many different genres in between.

There have been songs described as ‘the sound of France’ or the essence of France captured in a song, with notes and lyrics dancing with harmony, melody and français beauty. An example of this is the famous national French pop singer Édith Piaf. Her most prominent and famed song is probably “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien” which translates to “No, I Regret Nothing.” You can imagine, just from the title, that this is one quite powerful song. It is indeed a strong song with an underlying message. Throughout the song, Édith sings of the past and how she has no regrets, only expecting and enjoying what is to come.

♪ LISTEN: Édith Piaf – Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien ♪

Another band people may be more familiar with, is the alternative rock band Phoenix from Versailles, France.

Le 4 groupe pop d’alternative de morceau Phoenix

Phoenix sont très populaires avec beaucoup d’adolescents. Ils sont à quatre morceau bande, qui tour le monde.

♪ LISTEN: Phoenix – Trying To Be Cool ♪

With so many genres to suit everyone’s personality and likes, I think music shapes French Culture in a big way. It can be played over the radio, score a film, rise through the music charts and even inspire people. Music can also be influential in many ways like in every day life.

FOOD

When people think of typical French cuisine, certain foods come to mind. I think of “croissants” and “crêpes” – popular, delicious foods. Food is, of course, a major part of everyone’s life. Before I describe the scrumptious delicacies and meals, I will explain the usual daily food routine.

THE MENU (For Frenchies with hungry, little tummies!)

Petit Déjeuner | Breakfast
Bowls of velvety chocolate or strong coffee paired with a flaky pastry fresh out of the oven, perhaps a croissant. Petit Déjeuner actually translates to “little lunch”. 

Un chocolat chaud mousseux et un croissant floconneux!

Déjeuner| Lunch
Lunch is more of a leisurely pleasure, and can consist of several courses. The first course is sometimes known as hors d’oeuvre, and is usually a salad or a bowl of soup, for the colder months.  The main course is a dish prominent with either meat or fish. The last course is filled with cheeses, fruits and sometimes a dessert. This ties together lunch, the biggest meal of the day in French culture.

À typique Français dejeuner hors d’oeuvre…

Le Gôuter | After School ‘snack’
Children who attend school will arrive home, usually at around 4 o’clock. At this time, they might eat a snack which is something small, like a croissant with jam or chocolate and a glass of milk.

Le Gôuter pour les enfants après école.

Dîner | Dinner
Dinner in France can contain different sections, which, some are courses in themselves. These courses are the following: aperitif, entre, plate principal, salad, cheese, dessert, fruit, coffee and digestive drink. The food consumed is usually dependent on what is in season. Salads are typically tossed with olive oil and cheese and fruit are eaten to finish.

A typique français dejeuner – avec les lunettes de vin et pain!

Une assiette de fromage et fruits.

RECIPE: White Chocolate Macarons
Macarons se présente dans beaucoup de couleurs et beaucoup de goûts. Le macaron fond dans votre bouche, et le caractéristiques sont une texture lisse et un goût doux. Il ressemble à un biscuit.

Some delicacies include escargot – which are snails and frogs’ legs.

Food is a common thing between everyone and every country – it’s a vital part of life. This is why I think food is such an important part of France and this festival.

ART

Art is expressive and can tell stories, send a message or illustrate something. Below are some iconic paintings or iconic artists that have changed art in France and the world.

The Dance Class / Edgar Degas

Cela peinture s’appelle The Dance Class de Edgar Degas. Il a créé la peinture en 1873. C’est très important; ballet était a grande pièce de la mouvement Romantique et avait influences de la Renaissance.

Le Bassin Aux Nymphéas / Claude Monet

Le Bassin Aux Nymphéas (Water Lily Pond) is one of many water lily paintings completed by Claude Monet, a famous French artist. Painted in 1919, Monet was greatly inspired to paint the water lilies in his garden.

A Sunday on La Grande Jatte / Georges Seurat

One of Georges Seurat’s most famous works A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte is an example of pointillism. Created in 1884, the beautiful artwork demonstrates what goes on during Sunday afternoon. Dressed up and ready for a picnic or sailing yachts are two of the activities shown in this picture along with the dogs obviously enjoying themselves.

Les Codomas / Henri Matisse

Cela peinture s’appelle Les Codomas de Henri Matisse. C’est plein de couleur, avec beaucoup de forme et ligne. Il a créé la peinture en 1947, pendant la période de jazz. Il était artiste avant-garde. Il a aimé éxpérimenté avec couleur et les différent mediums.

The Google Art Project is an innovative and modern sub-site by Google, which utilises the technology of virtual maps and museums all around the world. Without needing to pack a suitcase or book a ticket, you can walk around in the museums and view (in high-definition), famous pieces of art all around in the world. The link below leads to the Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA, which showcases some of Henri Matisse’s work.

✈ The Google Art Project: MoMa ✈

PROPOSAL

A festival brings to mind culture, excitement, vivid and vibrant aesthetics and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Music can set the mood and add to the atmosphere, whereas the decorations and colour themes can illustrate a certain scene – such as a country or a holiday. The Festival Français should depict a festival full of food, rich culture, music to feel like you are roaming the streets of France and the feeling of love in the air.

As the students walk through the quadrangle, they are handed a passport in trade for their entry fee. They can join the tour with accompanied tour guide, which is lead by the air hostess and pilot, overflowing with knowledge, history and information, perfect for people who want to be involved and also learn something about the history and culture of France. Stamps can be collected on the way and traded in for a lucky dip prize.

To engage the audience, I think that customers can whip up their own food creations at the canteen, such as crepes. Demonstrations and shops can also be held. The decorations should be the colour theme of the France flag – red, blue and white. Garlands and streamers can hang across and decorate above.

Students can walk through a human timeline; from the early 1900s to modern day France. Major landmarks can also be displayed in this tunnel, such as the Louvre and The Eiffel Tower. This can create the cultural feeling of being immersed and like you have been teleported to France. Even digital media can be projected on surrounding walls so customers can walk through and explore for their own. Dress ups and cardboard cut outs of historic French people through history – such as Napoleon and Marie Antoinette – can also be introduced. Students can then have an experience has a revolutionary person in history.

I believe it’s very important to involve as many senses as we can. Sight, smell, sound, touch and taste. As much as many people would absolutely love to hop on a plane, passport and luggage in hand, on a plane to Europe right now, it’s not always possible. A festival is the perfect (temporary) replacement! They can soak up and absorb the beauty of France, yet still be bewildered with amazement once they see the real thing.

References

• Cs.nga.gov.au. 2013. MATISSE , Henri |Les Codomas [The Codomas]. [online] Available at: http://cs.nga.gov.au/Detail.cfm?IRN=148266 [Accessed: 16 Oct 2013].
• Edgar-degas.org. 2013. Edgar Degas – The complete works. [online] Available at: http://www.edgar-degas.org/ [Accessed: 16 Oct 2013].
• Gencircles.com. 2013. Re: French eating habits. [online] Available at: http://www.gencircles.com/clubs/world/france/messages/read/149 [Accessed: 16 Oct 2013].