After attending a midnight service on Christmas Eve, the French devour a feast called "le reveillon." Main courses vary according to region and may include goose, turkey with chestnuts, oysters, and foie gras. The traditional dessert is the Buche de Noel, a decadent Yule-log shaped cake.

On Christmas Eve, children put their shoes by the fireplace in hopes that "Père Noel"--Father Christmas--will fill them with presents. But if they've been naughty instead of nice, his companion "Père Fouettard"--Father Spanker--doles out a spanking instead.

French Christmas Recipes Pear Brandy Champagne Cocktail Buche de Noel Mushroom Soup with Chestnuts and Roasted Fennel Goose Breast Wrapped in Bacon Fillet of Beef in Puff Pastry with Sauce Madeira Oysters en Brouchette Roasted Rack of Lamb with Rosemary Jus Mushroom Consomme with Morels and Pastry "Hats" Foie Gras Toast with Sauterne Gelee Madeleines