Celebrating Christmas in French-speaking Switzerland: a guide for expat families
Category: Family, Swiss Traditions
Author: FLOK Kids
December 10, 2024
Switzerland comes alive during the festive season, and French-speaking Switzerland, or Swiss Romandy, has its own unique traditions, language, and customs to enjoy. If you're an expat parent that's new to the region, navigating the festivities can feel daunting but it can also be incredibly rewarding and a way to embrace the customs of your host country. From must-know phrases to cherished traditions, here’s your guide to celebrating Christmas in Switzerland.
Essential French Christmas phrases for expats
Learning a few key phrases can help you embrace the holiday spirit and connect with your local community. Here are some useful expressions to know:
- Joyeux Noël – Merry Christmas
- Bonnes fêtes de fin d’année – Happy Holidays
- Bonne année et meilleurs vœux – Happy New Year and best wishes
- Père Noël - Father Christmas
You’ll hear these greetings often, especially at markets, gatherings, and school events. Don’t hesitate to use them—they’re sure to spread festive cheer!
"Joyeux Noël à toute votre famille" - Merry Christmas to your whole family
Advent Traditions: Calendars, wreaths, and illuminated windows
In Switzerland, the season kicks off with l’Avent (Advent), starting four Sundays before Christmas. Families set up une couronne de l’Avent (Advent wreath), a beautiful arrangement of fir branches adorned with candles. Each Sunday, one candle is lit to mark the countdown to Christmas.
Another beloved tradition is the calendrier de l’Avent (Advent calendar). Many Swiss families enjoy chocolate-filled calendars, but some communities elevate the tradition by creating fenêtres de l’Avent (Advent windows). Participating homes or businesses decorate a window, revealing it on a designated night with music and refreshments for neighbors to enjoy.
Exploring Christmas Markets and lights in Switzerland
French-speaking Switzerland boasts charming marchés de Noël (Christmas markets). Whether in Geneva’s Noël au Quai, Lausanne’s Festival de Lumières or the famous Montreux Noël which celebrates its 30th year in 2024, you’ll find a magical mix of handmade gifts, local crafts, and delicious treats. Don’t miss:
- Vin chaud (mulled wine)
- Châtaignes grillées (roasted chestnuts)
- Traditional Swiss raclette or fondue
- Eierlikör – A Swiss version of eggnog, typically spiked with a touch of alcohol.
- Chocolat chaud (hot chocolate)
Christmas Markets in Switzerland are family-friendly, with activities like crafts for kids, ice-skating rinks, and live performances.
Saint Nicholas and Père Noël: who brings the gifts?
In Switzerland, Saint Nicolas is celebrated on December 6, particularly in Canton Fribourg. Children might meet him, recite a poem, or sing a song in exchange for a treat. However, the more widely recognized figure in the French-speaking part of the country is Père Noël (Father Christmas), who delivers gifts on Christmas Eve or Day.
Swiss children often write une lettre au Père Noël (a letter to Santa), and the Swiss postal service ensures replies if letters are sent to Pôle Nord or Rue du Paradis, 1, Noëlville.
When to decorate the Christmas tree
Swiss families usually decorate le sapin de Noël (Christmas tree) between Sainte Nicolas Day on December 6 and Christmas Eve. Common decorations include:
- Boules de Noël (baubles)
- Guirlandes lumineuses (fairy lights)
- Guirlandes de Noël (tinsel)
Many families in Switzerland choose a mix of modern and traditional tree ornaments, creating a cozy yet elegant atmosphere.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Switzerland
In French-speaking Switzerland, le Réveillon (Christmas Eve) is often the main celebration. Families gather around the tree, exchange cadeaux (gifts), and share a festive meal. Midnight Mass, complete with une crèche vivante (a living nativity), is a cherished tradition for many.
For others, Christmas Day is a time to relax, enjoy family, and indulge in festive delicacies.
"Le Père Noël passe cette nuit" - Santa Claus comes tonight. A fun phrase to use with children on Christmas Eve
Traditional Swiss foods to try at Christmas
No Swiss Christmas is complete without delicious spécialités culinaires (culinary specialties). Some favorites include:
- Les biscuits de Noël (Christmas cookies), such as bruns de Bâle and étoiles à la cannelle
- Grittibänz, sweet bread figures shaped like Saint Nicholas
- Traditional meals like filet en croûte (beef Wellington) or fondue chinoise (a communal meal where thin slices of meat are cooked in a hot broth and enjoyed with dipping sauces, often served with rice or potatoes)
- Fois gras, terrines and pâtes - popular as a starter or as part of a festive spread, often served with toasted brioche and fig or onion jam
- Longeole - a traditional Geneva sausage made with pork and fennel, often served with potatoes or lentils
- Gratin Dauphinois - a rich, creamy potato dish baked with cheese and cream, popular during the holidays
- Bûche de Noël – The famous Yule log cake, typically decorated to look like a log, is a favorite in Romandy.
- Pavés de Genève – Chocolate squares from Geneva, often given as gifts or enjoyed with coffee.
- Meringues with Double Cream – From Gruyère, these sweet treats are beloved across the region.
- Tirggel – Honey-based Christmas cookies from Zurich that have spread to other parts of Switzerland.
These dishes, alongside the family-specific traditions, create a rich and varied Christmas table in Switzerland. If you’re hosting or attending a festive meal, you’ll likely experience a delightful combination of these seasonal favorites.
New Year's traditions in Switzerland
New Year’s Eve, or la Saint-Sylvestre, is marked by fireworks, parties, and festive meals. Public celebrations often take place in larger towns. Geneva’s Quai du Mont-Blanc and Lausanne’s Flon District are popular gathering spots for revelers. Many cities, including Geneva and Lausanne, organize stunning fireworks shows at midnight. Les feux d’artifice over Lake Geneva create a magical atmosphere.
Church bells throughout Romandy ring at midnight to mark the start of the new year. In some smaller villages, this is the highlight of the celebration. Some communities organize festive walks or parades to enjoy the wintery scenery and connect with neighbors. It’s believed that making loud noises at midnight—whether through fireworks, shouting, or banging pots—wards off evil spirits and brings good luck for the year ahead.
January 1st, le Jour de l’An, is a public holiday and usually a quiet day spent with family, enjoying the leftover treats from the night before. Some families take advantage of the day off to go for a refreshing hike in the snowy Alps or Jura mountains to start the year on an active note.
Want to greet someone at the start of the year? Say Bonne année! or Tous mes vœux pour 2024!
It’s believed that making loud noises at midnight—whether through fireworks, shouting, or banging pots—wards off evil spirits and brings good luck for the year ahead.
Christmas in French-speaking Switzerland is a magical time for families, with traditions that blend local charm and global influence. Whether you’re exploring markets, learning French phrases, or sharing Swiss delicacies, embracing these customs will make the season unforgettable for you and your little ones.
From all the team at FLOK we wish you a Joyeux Noël and a Bonne année!
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