The Galette des rois ranks as one of the longest-standing traditions in France. It’s also one of the best-loved, and today, most families celebrate Epiphany with this sweet pastry. But, what’s in it? And why is it such an important part of French festive celebrations? All the answers (and a whole lot more) in our ultimate guide to the galette des rois.
What is a galette des rois?
The ultimate guide must, obviously, start with the basics; what is it?
In a nutshell, a galette des rois is a sweet pie made with puff pastry. Inside, you’ll typically find frangipane, a cream of almonds, butter, eggs and sugar. The Cordon Bleu recipe adds a splash of rum. However, you’ll also find versions filled with apple, chocolate, caramel…
Is it the same everywhere in France?
No, in southern France, the galette des rois is entirely different. It’s a brioche ‘wheel’, decorated with candied fruit and sugar, similar to the roscón de Reyes, eaten at Epiphany in next-door Spain.
>>> Discover 12 different fillings for galette des rois.
Did you know? Stalls at French Christmas markets sell galettes des rois as traditional festive fare. If you like the idea of combining a waterway with a galette, discover the best river cruises for Christmas markets.
What else is in a galette des rois?
Perhaps the most important ingredient is the fève, originally a dried bean. However, in 1874 it became a trinket, usually a figurine from a nativity scene. Nowadays, anything goes, and a fève could be a plastic hippo ballerina or a porcelain Bart Simpson.
The guest with the fève in their slice of cake is made king or queen for the day!
>>> Discover what else the French eat at Christmas
The cake also comes with a cardboard crown worn by the lucky finder of the fève. However, the king or queen with the fève must pay for the galette the following year – perhaps not so lucky.
Did you know? Collecting fèves is known as fabophilie in French and you can buy whole collections from specialist sites such as this one. And if you’re really keen on fèves, Blain Museum in Nantes is your must-visit destination because it showcases more than 10,000.
When do you eat a galette des rois?
Strictly speaking, on 6th January, Epiphany. However, if this date falls mid-week, France moves the official galette des rois eating day to the first Sunday after 1st January.
Did you know? To ensure a fair distribution of the slices, the youngest child goes under the table once the cake is cut. The child then calls out the names of fellow guests, one by one, to allocate them their slice of galette des rois.
When can you buy galette des rois?
The cake goes on sale in early December at boulangeries and patisseries throughout France, and many places continue to sell it until mid-January. Some 30 to 32 million galettes des rois are sold a year, the equivalent of nearly half a cake for everyone in France!
Did you know? The residence of the President of France, the Elysée Palace, makes a giant galette des rois for the first official reception of the new year. The 1.2 metre cake serves 150 guests but doesn’t contain a fève.
What’s the origin of the galette des rois?
Galette des rois translates literally to king cake and in some countries is referred to as the three kings cake.
Historians believes this round pie dates back to Roman times, when it was traditional to eat a circular, golden cake during the feast of Saturn, the God of Peace and Prosperity. The festivities took place for seven days in late December and early January. The cake included a fève and whoever received it could be king or queen for the week. It was also a time when slaves and masters swapped roles.
The Christians later adapted the tradition to Epiphany, probably sometime in the 13th or 14th centuries.
Until relatively recently, a family would slice a galette des rois into the same number of pieces as guests, plus one. The extra portion would be for the first poor person who visited the house.
Did you know? All our river cruises and luxury barge holidays take in quintessential French traditions as they meander up and down the waterways.
>>> Discover the perfect vacation for you at any time of the year
