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It's traditional to give presents at Christmas. It's a very old tradition to give pleasure to loved ones at the end of the year. The Romans did it over 2,000 years ago. Santa Claus is even more recent. Before him, other people gave presents to children.
It's the emblem of the end-of-year festivities, and Christmas in particular: the Christmas tree. Every year, 6,700,000 of them are sold in France, of which almost 6,000,000 are natural. And yet the fir hasn't always been so popular. They flopped at Versailles in the 18th century, before becoming a festive icon in the 19th century. A surprising consequence of a war and the arrival of many Alsatians in the capital. Monsieur de France tells the story.
Tradition tells us that there were three wise men who offered gifts to the Christ Child a few days after Christmas. Why 3? What were the three kings called? What did they offer, and what do they symbolize? Monsieur de France's answers.
The Yule log is still an iconic part of the French festive season. Even if it's less emblematic, it's still with us, and pastry chefs regularly come up with original ways to bring it up to date. It's a very old tradition. From the real wooden log to grandma's log with buttercream, discover the history of the Yule log with Monsieur de France.
Although it's not officially known who invented meringue, and the Swiss believe they are the originators, all leads back to France, where the first written recipes for meringue can be found as early as the 17th century. Appreciated by Louis XV's wife, Queen Marie, and adored by Marie Antoinette, meringue is a delicacy that's easy enough to make, thanks to Monsieur de France's recipe.
Tradition is always respected. Every year, millions of French men and women visit cemeteries to tend the graves and plant flowers. Chrysanthemums, the emblematic plant, continue to be the most common plant placed on graves, with 20,000,000 pots sold each year for All Saints' Day alone. But where does this holiday come from? Why Chrysanthemums, and what are the traditions of All Saints' Day? Monsieur de France's answers
November 11, 1918 was the last day of the First World War. With Monsieur de France, find out what happened on that day, and how our predecessors celebrated peace at a time when more than 1,400,000 of their fellow citizens had been killed in the fighting, much of the country (Nord, Lorraine, Champagne...) had to be rebuilt, and hundreds of thousands of wounded were still being cared for. This day has become a day of remembrance. It is a public holiday in France, and every year the country remembers its fallen children.
There are over 35,000 war memorials in France, and it's rare to find a town without one, even a small one. War memorials have been part of the French landscape for just over 100 years. Ever since it was decided to pay tribute to the soldiers who died for France in the First World War. This is still the case every November 11 and May 8. It's a sacred duty
Soufflé is so French that the name is spoken in French in almost every language on the planet. It's technical to make, but so tasty... How do you make it? How do you make a successful soufflé? By following our tips and discovering the recipes of Monsieur de France.
It's a title found only in France: "Meilleur Ouvrier de France". It's a title that takes immense effort to achieve, and rewards the very best in 230 different trades, even if the most famous are often in the world of Gastronomy. The title of M.O.F., which has been awarded to some of the greatest names in the world, is truly unique in France, but is rarely awarded. Monsieur de France reminds us who these "meilleurs ouvriers de France" are, recognizable by their red, white and blue collars.
