This week marks la Fête de Saint-Nicolas, celebrated in France and much of Europe on 6th December.
The legend goes that St Nicolas saved children from the evil butcher Père Fouettard, who liked to steal and eat them. Traditionally, there are parades, processions and people eat manneles - biscuits cut into the shape of St Nicolas. In some regions, children leave their shoes out by the fireplace or front door in the hope that St Nicolas will fill them with sweets or small toys. However, if they’ve been naughty, there’s the risk Père Fouettard might fill them with sticks or coal instead!
Year 5 will be learning more about this celebration in the coming weeks.