Discover La Galette des Rois: A Royal Treat for January
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The Galette des Rois is eaten in France to celebrate Epiphany in early January. However, it is common for the festivities to extend throughout the month. When we were kids, my mother asked all the children to hide under the dining table, and each child would call their slice without looking. Being King or Queen for the day was always a big deal. And it still is today, as Beth explains in this month’s contribution.
“How were your festive celebrations? Ours were fun and relatively calm, though France being France, there was feasting. The first réveillon took place on Christmas Eve, which, for most of our community, consisted of a multi-course banquet lasting until the early hours. That gave everyone enough time for a quick snooze, wash and brush up. Then it was all go for the Christmas Day repas onslaught. Fit to burst, family members gently belched their way through the rest of the day, with the more courageous being persuaded by their pets to go for a countryside ramble.
It was back to work on the 26th, and the following days were reasonably low-key. Not for long. Many folks were soon gearing up for the next réveillon. As with many other countries, France had a New Year’s Eve party. Celebrations included more delicious food, dancing, and spectacular pyrotechnics (though less so in our rural backwater) to welcome the New Year.
After all that culinary excess, you might think it was time to give stretched tummies a rest. Not quite. On the sixth of January, which commemorates Epiphany, a cake called la Galette des Rois (the Kings Cake) was shared. Epiphany, or Three Kings’ Day, is a Christian feast celebrating the Three Kings’ visit to the baby Jesus.
Origin of the Cake-sharing Tradition
There are two key theories. One suggests the custom began as a Roman pagan festival around the winter solstice when citizens honoured Saturn. Among others, Saturn was the god of agriculture, time and abundance. During this period, masters and enslaved people jointly feasted, and a bean would be hidden in one of the dishes or baked into a round cake resembling the sun. The lucky slave who discovered the bean would be king for the day.
The other theory moves to the Middle Ages and Benedictine monks. They celebrated Epiphany by preparing and sharing a special cake called the Galette des Rois. Though, as you’ll read, variations apply, the true galette is a puff pastry cake filled with frangipane – an almond-flavoured paste. Hidden inside is a small charm, a fève, representing the king. It used to be a fava bean, though it is now a porcelain or plastic figure.
Regional Recipe Variations
In the northern Hauts-de-France, the Galette Beurrée des Rois is made with brioche dough filled with cream and flavoured with rum or kirsch. In Burgundy, it is frangipane-based, though apple and chocolate variations are becoming popular. The Couronne des Rois or Coque des Rois is the most popular in the south. It is a brioche crown made with orange blossom and garnished with tiny crispy puffballs of sugar (I’m sure there’s a technical term for these baby delights) and candied fruit. You’ll see them on sale in local pâtisseries and stores, often with a paper crown on top.
Whatever the variation, there will be a fève hidden inside.
Eating the Galette
Following ancient practice, the idea is for participants to gather around and take a portion of the cake. It should be divided so that each guest receives a slice and an extra, symbolic slice for any unexpected visitor or poor person who may pass by. This way, everyone has a chance to tirer les rois (draw the king) from the cake. The lucky person who finds the fève in their piece becomes the king/queen for the day.
Fun ‘Facts’ about la Galette des Rois
- According to La Route des Gourmands, France makes over 30 million Galettes des Rois annually. Another source suggests almost twice that number. Whichever is true, there’s no doubt about it: making galettes and their variations is big business here.
- The French President may enjoy a serving of the galette, but s/he is never allowed to draw the king. With France’s history and its republican penchant for putting royals to the guillotine, that does make sense.
- As always, the matter of what to drink with the galette is taken seriously. Cider is a good option because of its light, bubbly, fruity flavour. Champagne and crémants (a personal favourite) also pair well with the buttery puff pastry and frangipane cream. A Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley or Sauternes from Bordeaux are excellent options for those less keen on bubbles.
- Epiphany in France is not a public holiday, so it is often celebrated a few days before or after the sixth of January.
- Finding the fève in a portion of the galette can be a matter of great excitement for children of all ages. Any thoughts of dastardly cheating are traditionally dealt with by the youngest person sitting under the table and calling out names to receive each segment. That way, the server can’t be accused of favouritism.
Today, regardless of religious beliefs, la Galette des Rois or one of its variations is typically eaten throughout January. The Couronne des Rois is adored in our local community of Occitanie. Every civic get-together with refreshments features them, including our Maire’s official meilleurs voeux pour la nouvelle année, a gathering for villagers to receive best wishes from our mayor and local officials for the new year. The Mairie also sends each household a Couronne des Rois with a paper crown. And you know, I love traditional gestures such as these.”
How lovely and civilised Beth, thank you for sharing. For more real-life stories from rural France, check out Beth’s website and her new book, which is perfect for a cosy night in, sat by the fireplace, after a slice of (French) cake!
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