Saint Nicholas Day in Eastern France

The origins of Saint-Nicolas in Eastern France

Saint Nicholas is a festival inspired by Bishop Nicholas of Myra, also known as Nicholas of Bari. Born in Turkey in the 3rd century, he was reputed to be a benevolent and generous man, and the protector of children and the weakest.

After his death, a relic (one of his phalanges) was transported to the town of Port en Lorraine, where it remains to this day. The town was then renamed Saint-Nicolas-de-Port and a basilica was built there in 1093 in honour of Nicolas de Myre, who became the patron saint of the people of Lorraine. To this day, the basilica remains the subject of many legends and mysteries.

Legend has it that Saint Nicholas has the power to perform many miracles. For example, the Sire de Réchicourt, wrongly imprisoned on the other side of the world, was miraculously freed by St Nicholas on 5 December and deposited in front of the basilica of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port in Lorraine. Every year since then, a torchlight procession has been held in the basilica to pay tribute to the magnanimous act of the patron saint. Almost 800 years later, the tradition remains intact.

The legend of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children

The feast of Saint Nicholas has a whole imaginary world built around this endearing character. Every child in Lorraine knows the story of the three little children who came back to life.

Legend has it that lost children, attracted by the light of a house, knock on a man's door. The man pretended to take them in for the night, but in reality he was a butcher with other dark intentions. He kills them and cuts them up into small pieces to make salted pork... 7 years later, St Nicholas knocks on the butcher's door and asks to come in. The cruel host welcomed the bishop and finally confessed his crime. Saint Nicholas then held out his 3 fingers over the salted fish and brought the 3 children back to life. To punish the malicious butcher (now the famous and terrifying Père Fouettard), Saint Nicholas decides to tie him to his donkey, his faithful companion.

Since then, the benevolent man has been considered the patron saint of children. Every first weekend in December, he generously brings fruit, chocolates, sweets and other treats during the night. When you're in the Grand Est during the Saint-Nicolas festivities, you might see a glass of milk and a carrot outside the door: it's traditional for children to thank the patron saint for the sweets dropped off during the night.

Saint Nicholas celebrations today

St Nicholas is celebrated mainly in north-east France, but also in neighbouring countries such as Belgium and Germany. But it's in the Grand Est that the best events take place!

In France, St Nicholas Day is celebrated every year on 6 December. Parades and parades are generally organised in the heart of towns and cities. Saint Nicholas and Père Fouettard appear, sometimes in floats, and gifts and sweets are distributed to children who have been good.

Saint Nicholas in Nancy (Lorraine)

The Saint-Nicolas festival is particularly popular in Nancy, with its events, decorations and gastronomy. One of the highlights of the weekend is the big parade on Saturday. At the end of the day, families flock from Place Carnot to Place Stanislas to watch the parade of floats, bands, shows and other troupes of artists. The arrival of the floats is particularly spectacular in Place Stanislas, where the facades are lit up in 1001 colours. Your taste buds will also be in raptures as you sample Lorraine delicacies and other specialities, such as gingerbread and Mannala brioches, in the Saint Nicholas village.

A few kilometres south of Nancy, the basilica of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port hosts the torchlight procession in honour of Saint Nicolas and his miracle. It's an unforgettable opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of Lorraine.

Saint Nicolas in Metz (Moselle)

In Metz, tradition dictates that on the first weekend in December, crowds flock to one of the city's most beautiful squares for the chance to catch a glimpse of St Nicholas from the Balcony of the Opéra-Théâtre de l'Eurométropole. The heart of the city then beats to the rhythm of the melodious songs of the Place de la Comédie choirs, and a host of shows and workshops take place throughout the city, to the delight of children young and old. To prolong the pleasure, Metz will be buzzing and sparkling to the rhythm of these end-of-year festivities throughout the month.

Saint-Nicolas in the Vosges

In Epinal, thelighting of the Christmas tree on the Place des Vosges marks the start of the festivities and the feast of Saint-Nicolas. These traditionally comprise a procession of more than 60 floats and brass bands racing along a 3-kilometre route. And there's no shortage of food lovers, with the Saint-Nicolas village and its market offering mulled wine and sweets throughout the day.

Gérardmer also celebrates its patron saint! The magical atmosphere of the Saint-Nicolas festival spreads through the streets of this historic mountain resort in the Vosges mountains, with its traditional parade. Get ready to fill up on sweets: every year, the patron saint hands out hundreds of kilos of sweets to young and old alike!

Saint-Nicolas in the Meuse

The Meuse region is also pulling out all the stops to celebrate the patron saint of Lorraine's people and children.

In Bar-le-Duc, a magical parade passes through the town, with Saint Nicholas and Père Fouettard on board, the former offering sweets.

Thirty kilometres away, at the Château de Thillombois, the patron saint is also being celebrated! For the occasion, the building is exceptionally decked out in its most beautiful illuminations, revealing its sumptuously decorated rooms to visitors.

Finally, in Verdun, the town comes alive with its traditional parade. Don't miss the arrival of the procession on the Quai de Londres and the traditional presentation of the keys to the town by the Mayor to Saint Nicolas.

In both Verdun and Bar-le-Duc, as night falls, fireworks sparkle in the Meuse sky before the astonished eyes of visitors.

The festive season in the Grand Est

In December, the whole of the Grand Est region lives to the rhythm of its traditions, and the festival of Saint-Nicolas is far from being the only one!

The region is also known for its warm, festive atmosphere during the festive season. The Christmas markets in Colmar, Mulhouse and Reims attract visitors from all over France, but don't miss Strasbourg's Christmas market, the oldest in Europe! In the capital of Alsace, the magic is omnipresent along the 300 wooden chalets that make up its Christmas market. Lovers of handicrafts and traditional know-how can be found browsing the little huts in search of the perfect souvenir to take home, while epicureans can enjoy a gourmet break and sample Alsatian delicacies. But if there's one place that brings everyone together, it's the superb fir tree in Place Kléber and its brightly-lit decorations. It's sure to delight young and old alike!

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