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Christmas in the
Charente
France is known for its wonderful markets, but one of
the best times of the year to visit is during the Santa Season.
There are several Christmas markets throughout the Charente Limousin
area, with wonderful handcrafted ornaments, gifts and food items.
Traditionally Christmas in France revolves around good
food, good wine and good company: log burning fires, mulled wine,
cognac and the smell of the Christmas tree. The
sapin de Noël is the
main decoration in homes, streets, shops, offices and factories.
Mistletoe is hung above the door during the Christmas season to bring
good fortune throughout the year. Although fewer and fewer French
attend la Messe de Minuit
on Christmas Eve, it is still an important part of Christmas
for many families. It is followed by a huge feast; called
le Réveillon.
The Réveillon
is yet another opportunity to spend hours eating! Traditional
Christmas fare in the Charente consists of a first course of foie gras
or seafood and shellfish, typically smoked salmon and oysters.
This is followed by cèpes, mushrooms sautéed in oil with garlic,
shallots, parsley and cognac. The main course is generally roast
turkey accompanied by chestnuts or sautéed vegetables. Then comes
a salad of endives with walnuts, sultanas and apples. The cheese
course precedes the dessert - typically
la bûche de Noël - a log-shaped cake made
of chocolate and chestnuts. All thus, naturally, is washed down
with copious amounts of wine!
New Year in France is perhaps the culinary high point
of the season when after the Christmas festivities friends and family
get together to celebrate with a feast called
le Réveillon de Saint Sylvestre.
Celebrate with oysters, cèpes - not forgetting the champagne.
If you want to spend Christmas away from it all we can
offer the ideal location. For £600 per week why not spend
Christmas and the New Year in a 17th century farmhouse in the heart of
the Charente countryside. The fires will be lit for your arrival
and the mulled wine will be ready to serve.
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