Saint Nicholas, also called Nicholas of Myra, is celebrated on December 6th in eastern France , in Lorraine and Alsace and also in other European countries (Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands). His legend is known to all in these regions!

The Legend of Saint Nicholas

Legend has it that 3 children went to glean in the fields, and got lost. They found a lit house and asked for hospitality; the butcher who was there accepted and as soon as they returned, the 3 children were killed by the butcher and put in the salting room.

Later, Saint Nicholas , who was passing through the fields, asked for hospitality from this same butcher. The butcher accepted and Saint Nicholas asked to taste the salted pork; The butcher, realizing that he had been unmasked, fled. Saint Nicholas approached the salting cellar and resurrected the 3 children there.

To punish the butcher, Saint Nicholas chained him to a donkey , dressed him in black and he became Father Fouettard , who today is known for punishing disobedient children.

The Saint Nicholas Tradition in France

Every year, some cities in the East of France such as Nancy, Metz, Strasbourg, Colmar, ... celebrate Saint Nicholas during the first weekend of December with festivities, parades of floats, where Saint Nicholas wanders with Father Fouettard, to distribute sweets, gingerbread and other confectionery to good children.

In Lorraine, the Bishop of Myra is also celebrated by a large torchlight procession in the Basilica of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port .