January 6th

Oh yes it’s good to be a king (sang Mel Brooks)

It’s a New Year tradition in France. We eat the Twelfth Cake to mark Epiphany and the coming of the Three Kings. Within the cakes there is a token or a charm or a small figurine. He or she who gets the slice, hiding the charm, is also crowned King or Queen for the day . To this end, when purchasing a Twelfth cake, the baker should also give you. paper crown (as pictured here).

So, January 6th is the day for sharing the Twelfth Cake (Galette des Rois) as the French call it, with friends and family. Very often, employers will organise a “Galette” ceremony for their workforce. It is a moment of coming together and sharing. It is also the time to wish everyone a happy new year. In France, you have the whole month of January in which to wish a happy new year to those you wish to wish it to.