Have A Joyeux Noël At Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

Traditions from around the world are on display at Epcot's International Festival of the Holidays. Today we make a stop at the France Pavilion for a visit with the good spirit of the season, Pere Noel; then we'll take a peek at the menu of the Alsace Holiday Kitchen. It's Christmas a la francaise with all the self-indulgent treats that inspires.


Pere Noel Is France's Father Christmas


Pere Noel, treks through the "French countryside" on his way to the holiday stage of Epcot's France Pavilion. Dressed in long red robes trimmed with white fur, there is something recognizable about the gentle man who climbs the stairs and sets down the basket carried on his back. Pere Noel (Father Christmas) introduced himself to the crowd, before reading a letter sent to him from a little girl named Babette.

Pere Noel explains that letters the French children write to him don't just disappear France. In 1962, the government enacted a law that stipulates any letter to Santa must be responded to in the form of a postcard! This dedication to keeping cultural traditions alive means that many French children have faith in Father Christmas.


2016 Pere Noel Tells A Tale


Merriment is a big part of the holiday season in France and festive holiday meals on Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners are known as "le Reveillon." Hosted after attending the very important midnight mass, the feast is meant to re-energize participants from their fast during the day. Indulgence in rich foods, lavish cakes, and lots of wine is the fashion of the night.

After "le Reveillon" the children of the house head to bed, but not before leaving their shoes by the fire for Pere Noel to fill full of sweets and goodies while they sleep.


2017 Epcot International Festival Of The Holidays


In years past guests have had to venture deep into the France Pavilion to find holiday treats from on treats from Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie, and L'Artisan des Glaces. Well in 2017 the French food has come out of the regular cafes and brought front and center at the all new Alsace Holiday Kitchen just off the World Showcase Promenade. The Alcase dishes can be purchased with a Disney Dining Plan Snack Credit, however if you want alcohol you will need to pay cash out of pocket.

Alsace Holiday Kitchen Menu

• Napoleon de Saumon Fume, Brioche a l'aneth: Smoked Salmon Napoleon in a Dill Brioche
• Le Reveillon de Noel: Turkey Breast Stuffed with Mushrooms and Chestnuts with Sweet Potato Puree
• Buche de Noel au Chocolat: Slice of Chocolate Christmas Yule Log
• Spiced Rum Punch Slush: Spiced Rum, Rhum Clement V.S.O.P., Orange and Pineapple Juice with Cinnamon
• Merlot & Cabernet Blend, Chateau de Bechuad, Saint Emilion
• Holiday Kir: Sparkling Wine and Monin Cranberry Syrup
• Champagne Brut, Nicolas Feuillatte

The Alsace Holiday Kitchen offers a take on the traditional Buche de Noel that is a little different from previous years, while still maintaining the characteristics that make this cake roll a holiday classic.


Alsace Holiday Kitchen Buche de Noel


Epcot's France Pavilion is known for it's wonderful frozen cocktails, and the Spiced Rum Punch Slush is once of the best sips on the holiday circuit.


Alsace Holiday Kitchen Spiced Rum Punch Slush


France is one of my favorite Pavilions any time of the year, but this new holiday kitchen raises the bar on festivities. Thanks to our friends over at the Disney Food Blog for the exclusive use of their great holiday photos.

Joyeux Noel!