St Stephen’s Day in France ― Date, History, and Details

St Stephen’s Day in France

St Stephen’s Day in France may be something you want to learn more about, and we want to help with that.

Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of St Stephen’s Day in France and why people celebrate or observe it.

History of St Stephen’s Day in France and How to Celebrate/ Observe It

St Stephen’s Day, also known as Boxing Day in France, is a national holiday celebrated on December 26th. It commemorates the life of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr who was stoned to death for his beliefs. Many French people attend church services on this day and some give gifts to the poor or needy in his memory. Traditional foods eaten on St Stephen’s Day include a special cake called la galette des Rois, which is a type of puff pastry with a hidden bean inside. Whoever finds the bean is said to be the “king” or “queen” for the day and gets to wear a paper crown.