“He knows if you’ve been sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, he knows if you’ve been bad or good so be good for goodness sake!” According to tradition, on Christmas Eve children leave their shoes by the fireplace filled with carrots and treats for Père Noël’s donkey, Gui (French for “Mistletoe”) before they go to bed. Rudolph is left at home, probably backup for Santa’s ride over North America. Father Christmas takes the offerings and, if the child has been good, leaves presents in their place. Presents are traditionally small enough to fit in the shoes; candy, money or small toys.

Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel to all our blog readers. Thank you for following along on our journey through the City of Light.