Christmas may now be over but it’s definitely not the end of our celebrations in France. The “Galette des Rois” is one of the French’s favorite traditions to start the year.

What is it exactly and how is it celebrated?

A little vocabulary

Meaning King's cake, it must not be confused with the famous galette bretonne, the brown pancake from Brittany usually eaten with ham, cheese and an egg on top. Also named galette, it is the salted version of crêpes and served all year around in “crêperies”.

We call the act of sharing the Kings’ cake “tirer les rois”. This literally means “to draw the kings”. Indeed according to tradition, the youngest member of the family or smallest host, must go under the table. He is the one who decides whom will get each slice. Whoever finds the charm hidden in the cake becomes the King or the Queen and names his Queen or her King. The galettes des rois most often comes with a paper crown worn by “the majesty” all day!

The little charm is called “la fève” which means bean. It was initially a real dry bean which is a symbol of good luck and fertility because it is the first vegetable to grow in Spring after the winter solstice. Yet as the centuries go by, it is evolving. Nowadays it is frequently made of porcelain and some are highly sought after. They used to represent members of the Nativity scene but are now of all sorts. There is even a museum dedicated to the fèves in Blain.

Date of celebration

La galette des Rois is eaten in January and traditionally on Epiphany. It celebrates the coming of the Three Wise Men, Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar who followed the bright star which led them to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. For a long time, Epiphany was on the 6th of January, 12 days after Christmas because it is said the kings’ journey lasted 12 days.

However today it is often celebrated on the first Sunday of January and has become part and parcel of French families’ traditions whatever their beliefs and religion. It is an opportunity to gather together at the start of the year. It is frequent to draw the Kings several times during the month, with friends, families and sometimes even work colleagues.

Story of the Galette des Rois

ome made Galette des Rois by @carolinesfamily

If the Galette is mainly associated to Catholic rituals, it is said its origin are even older. Sun-shaped cake, it could be linked to Roman festivals around the God Saturn related to winter solstice.

It began to be celebrated in France around the 14th century by all layers of the population. Families would always cut the cake in slices equal to the number of guests plus one, leaving an extra for the poor who could ring at the door.

Under King Louis XIII, the ladies of court could draw the Kings and the one to find the charm could achieve a favor from the King. But Louis XIV soon abolished it.

The story also says that during this same period, began a new tradition of “Le roi qui boit”, the king who drinks. Basically the one who found the charm had to pay drinks to everyone. To avoid being trapped, the stingiest would swallow the bean. That’s how it came to be replaced by porcelain!

Every year, a huge galette des Rois (1,2m diameter for about 150 people) is shared at the Palais de L’Élysée with the president and guests of honor. The baker, however, is specifically asked not to put a fève inside to avoid embarrassment. It would not be appropriate to crown a king in a presidential palace...

Type of cake

The galette des Rois typically has a round shape and is made of light flaky butter puff pastry filled with frangipane. It is closer to a tart than a cake.

The frangipane filling is basically a cream made of ground almonds, butter, egg and sugar. Yet each year bakers and chefs innovate and show their creativity by inventing new recipes. From one region or city to another the cake can vary too. For example in Bordeaux, it is a brioche topped with candied fruit and coarse sugar.

Fairly easy to make, it is great fun to cook at home with children but you will also find galettes of all sizes and types in absolutely every boulangerie!

It is frequently eaten with a glass of Champagne!

Recipes

Traditional French galette des Rois recipe

Galette des Rois with lemon filling

Mini chocolate galette des Rois with chocolate

Chocolate and candied orange galette des rois

The best galette des rois of 2021

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