When I first got my introduction to French culture in 2011, I was immediately struck by how rooted many of the traditions were rooted in Catholicism. One of my favorites of these traditions has always been the galette des Rois. While I celebrated in San Francisco (La Boulange/La Boulangerie de San Francisco makes a wonderful galette de Rois) it was my first time celebrating in France this year - and a new tradition for Joey.

Epiphany (aka Three Kings' Day) is a traditional Christian feast day on January 6th commemorating the visit of the Magi to the Christ child and the the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. It also marks the end of the Christmas season (aka - the twelve days of Christmas) and the start of the Epiphany season, though up until 1955 it was often an eight day feast from January 6 to January 13th. Luckily, today in France it is a singular day and is a holiday that is mostly focused around a delicious pastry! 

Christian countries all around the world celebrate with local traditions, often including a form of the "King's Cake". In France, the galette des Rois is a flaky pastry traditionally filled with frangipane (though variations with fruit and chocolate are common too). In fact, this pastry is basically a pithivier. What separates the galette des Rois is the time honored game and the elusive Fève. 

Traditionally, after a large feast (or in the modern day circumstances: after the cheese and an espresso) the galette is presented and sliced in equal parts. The youngest attendee will duck under the table and tap the first person to receive a slice. Slices will then be distributed in a circle, and participants will begin to eat CAREFULLY as to not chip a tooth or choke on the Fève - a small porcelain token, bean or plastic toy baby that notates the winning slice. The winner than gets to select the King, who must where a paper crown (similar to one from Burger King) for the rest of the evening. Some also celebrate by automatically awarding the recipient of the Fève the crown. I personally like the picking tradition - as the crown is delightfully tacky and it is fun to watch people squirm having to wear it. 

With so much going on with the move this year, we simply popped over to our corner Brioche Doree and picked up a traditional galette for around 11 euro. While not the most gourmet, it was delicious and we easily ate the whole thing within the day! Since it was Joey and I, we each had a 50/50 shot at winning - but Joey got the porcelain Fève in his slice and I was forced to wear a crown the rest of the night (who am I kidding? I am always the King/Queen in this house!). This was Joey's first exposure to this tradition, and he too had to admit it was good silly fun. We will see if he still feels the same after he is forced to wear the crown one year....