In France, the holidays don't quite end on 1 January. For weeks afterwards, bakeries fill their windows with golden, flaky pastries, each sold with a paper crown. It's the season of the galette des rois, the kings' cake.
The galette des rois
The tradition is linked to Epiphany, on 6 January, which in the Christian calendar celebrates the visit of the Three Kings to the infant Jesus. In practice, French families and offices eat galettes throughout January.
In much of France, the galette is made of puff pastry filled with frangipane, a rich almond cream. In the south, people often prefer the brioche des rois or gâteau des rois, a ring of brioche decorated with candied fruit.
The fève
Hidden inside each galette is a fève. Originally it was a real dried bean. Over time, little porcelain figures replaced it, and today there are fèves of every kind: tiny characters, animals, objects, even miniature artworks. Some people collect them; collectors are known in French as fabophiles.
Whoever finds the fève in their slice becomes king or queen for the day and wears the paper crown.
The child under the table
One of the loveliest customs: to make the sharing fair, the youngest person at the table slips underneath it and calls out who should receive each slice, without seeing which slice holds the fève. It's a small ritual of trust and laughter.
Other gentle French January customs
- Sending meilleurs vœux. In France, it's customary to send New Year wishes throughout January, by card, letter or message. - January sales, but slowly. Many people treat the soldes as a chance to finally buy the one thing they'd been wanting all year, rather than a shopping spree. - Hot chocolate after a winter walk. Thick, dark, often taken in a café with friends.
How to slow down with it
Buy one galette from a bakery you love, or bake your own. Invite a few friends. Let the youngest go under the table. Take your time with each slice. Keep the fève on a shelf as a souvenir of the evening.
More traditions, more slow pleasures
The Digital subscription brings seasonal traditions, places, books, music and art into your month, with at least one video each month, photo stories and the digital edition of "(meditating) On Art". January, savored.
Remember to take as much time as you need, and meet me at the next one.
Love, Evi