This is a picture of a buche de noel a cake eaten at Christmas in France
that is the shape of a log

This is a scene during Christmas in France right in front of the Arc de Triomphe

          Christmas in France

                               

                           The French follow many wonderful Christmas traditions. One of the traditions that is followed is having a nativity scene in the home or a  "creche" where little "santons" or saints are placed on the scene. Santons can be anything from Wise men, holy shephard, and local heroes and authorities. Having a Christmas Tree is not as popular as it is in the US but its symbolism can be seen on the christmas cake. The Christmas Cake or "Buche de Noel" which means "Christmas Log". This is because the shape is shaped like a log. This is eaten at the reveillon right after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Children have stockings which are called "Sabots" and are placed by the fireplace so their favorite christ child can or Pere Noel can  fill their stockings. So,  many children believe that Pere Noel travels with his friend Pre Fouettard, who tells Pere Noel about each child's behavior in the past year. In some parts of France, Pere Noel brings gifts for children on St. Nicholas Eve  which is on December 6 and visits again on Christmas. In other places it is le petit Jesus who brings the gifts. Adults generally wait until New Year's Day to exchange gifts. The picture depicting the christmas lights at the Arc-de-Triomphe  shows that even though the nations of the US and France have different traditions, lighting trees and monuments remains the same.