Day 3119 (Monday) 22nd December 2025 

This is the Hotel Negresco on the Prom in Nice

and this is the sunset in Nice.

It was a crappy day again and we were forced to stay at home, this is the longest run of bad days we’ve had since we arrived over 8 years ago.

So as usual on a Monday here’s What’s happening in France this week. The Local France.

A man dressed as Santa Claus gestures a thumbs-up as he climbs onto an excavator in front of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)

It’s Christmas week in France — and that means traffic problems, celebrations, and public holidays.

Monday

Budget debates - On Friday it was revealed that the second half of the 2026 Budget has stalled in parliament. This means that Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will have to take action to ensure that state spending can continue from January 1st - his most likely course of action is to request a parliamentary extension so that the 2025 budget can be rolled over and discussions continue next year. The vote is likely to be put before parliament on Monday or Tuesday.

Wednesday 

Traffic jams — Roads watchdog Bison Futé forecasts ‘difficult’ conditions on France’s arterial routes across most of the country, rising to ‘very difficult’ in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, as millions of people head off on holiday for Christmas.

Reveillon — Families across the country gather for the traditional seasonal celebrations, which go on late into the evening.

Thursday 

Iiiiiit’s Christmas! — A public holiday in France. Government offices, GP surgeries, and so on, will remain closed. Bakers, markets and some restaurants may open, while some pharmacies will open as part of a rota system.

Mainline trains will run as normal while city public transport will run but on a reduced schedule.

Friday 

Fête de Saint-Etienne — Anyone who lives in Alsace and Lorraine has an additional public holiday on Saint Stephen’s Day (known as Boxing Day in the UK). The rest of the country, however, doesn’t enjoy such privilege, though expect government offices to remain closed.

As Decemener 26th falls on a Friday this year, plenty of people are taking the opportunity to 'faire le pont', so expect more businesses than normal to be closed on Friday.

Streaming — The three-episode second block of the fifth and final series of Stranger Things hits Netflix (at 2am, if you want to stay up). The finale arrives on New Year’s Day.

Saturday 

Traffic jams II — Roads watchdog Bison Futé again forecasts ‘difficult’ conditions on France’s arterial routes across most of the country, rising to ‘very difficult’ in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

I’ve mentioned the 13 desserts a few times lately but here is what each dessert stands for.

Les 13 Desserts de Provence

“Les treize desserts” is an old Christmas tradition in Provence. Thirteen desserts are enjoyed after Christmas Eve dinner, traditionally representing Jesus and his twelve Apostles. Each guest must eat all thirteen in order to guarantee good luck for the year to come (13 is the minimum, we are presenting 14 here).

Amandes (almonds) are one of the “Four Beggars” representing the monastic order of the Carmelites.

Figues Séchées (dried figs) are another of the “Four Beggars” and represent the monastic order of the Franciscans.

Raisins Secs (raisins) are also part of the “Four Beggars” and represent the Dominicans monastic order.

Noix ou Noisettes (walnuts or hazelnuts) are the last of the “Four Beggars” and represent the Augustines monastic order.

Nougat Blanc (white nougat) represents good and the winter Solstice, the long bright days…

Nougat Noir (black nougat) … to the long dark days, represented by the black nougat, which also illustrates evil.

Calissons (calissons) are an almond and melon candy from Aix-en-Provence, very sweet and delicious.

Fruit Frais (fresh fruit) can be oranges, pears, apples or clementines from Corsica (our favourite choice.)

Pâte de Coing (quince paste) is a must on the treize desserts table in our region, as our village of Cotignac is known for its quinces.

Dattes (dates) symbolise the arrival of the Christ from the Middle East. Some people say you must find the letter ‘o’ on the pits, which is apparently what Mary or Baby Jesus exclaimed at the sight of the fruit.

Chocolat (chocolate) is added depending on the region. We like to have chocolate olives, which are chocolate coated almonds shaped like olives.

Fruit Confits/pâtes de fruits (candied fruits/fruit pastes) are a great addition on top of the calisson and quince paste.

Navettes are orange blossom flavoured biscuits found in the Marseille region.

Pompe à l’Huile are a famous sweet bread made with olive oil and orange blossom. It is claimed to be as old as the city of Marseille. And should be broken to illustrate the last supper (never cut with a knife).

We hope you enjoyed this little insight into this traditional Provençal tradition.

This was Badger last night curled up on my lap.

I think it’s time for some Christmas cats.