Christmas and its traditions
Father Christmas loves all children, whether they are little angels or rascals. He likes to answer all the letters that children send him and to send back an affectionate note. Ever up-to-date, Father Christmas even has his own website in Aquitaine:
Father Christmas
F – 33515 Libourne
chef.lutin@laposte.net
www.laposte.fr/pere-noel
They set alight ‘lo Halha de Nadau’ (the Christmas sheaf) made of straw and maize leaves, then walk around the farm holding it in their hand in order to chase away evil spirits and to ensure good harvests.
This Gascony tradition is animated by songs, delicious treats and mulled wine. Each year there is a torchlight parade with fifes and drums.
(photo : Mathieu Anglada)
>> in Bazas on 18 December 2011
Place de la Cathédrale from 5 pm
Bazas Tourist Office
Tel.: +33 (0)5 56 25 25 84
www.tourisme-bazadais.com/
>> in Saint-Sever on 24 December 2011
Esplanade de Morlanne
Saint-Sever Tourist Office
Tel: +33 (0)5 58 76 34 64
www.cc-capdegascogne.fr/Tourisme
Olentzero, so the Basque legend goes, is the coalman who lives in the mountains. Once a year, just before Christmas, he passes through towns and villages handing out logs so that no one suffers from the cold at Christmas. Even today, Olentzero, mounted on a pottok (small wild Basque horse), goes from door to door and gives out sweets and treats to children, who then accompany him on his way.
(photo : Institut culturel basque - Pantxika Maitia)
> In Ciboure on 16 December
Office de Tourisme
Tél. : +33 (0)5 59 47 64 56
www.ciboure.fr
> In Bayonne on 17 December
Office de Tourisme
Tel.: +33 (0)5 59 46 01 46
www.bayonne-tourisme.com
> In Saint Jean de Luz on 23 December
Office de tourisme de Saint Jean de Luz
Tel. : +33 (0)5 59 26 03 16
www.saint-jean-de-luz.com
> In Hendaye on 24 December
Office de tourisme
Tél. : +33 (0)5 59 20 00 34
www.hendaye-tourisme.fr
This Landes tradition is alive and well in Montfort en Chalosse. The Christmas fête to commemorate the birth of baby Jesus is an occasion to celebrate all the year's newborn babies. The town's children stop in front of each house in which a baby was born during the year and sing the "Pique-Hoü" song to welcome the infant. In exchange, they are given tasty treats or sometimes even coins. In days gone by the gifts were apples, walnuts and chestnuts…
Office de tourisme de Montfort en Chalosse
Tél. : +33 (0)5 58 98 58 50
www.tourisme-montfortenchalosse.fr
To add warmth to winter, the towns of Aquitaine take on colour with their Christmas lights – always a magical sight – and host a great many festivities. Here are just a few of them…
> Agen (47): Christmas market and various events from 10 December to 24 December 2011.
> Andernos-les-bains (33) : "Andernos en fête" will take place from 11 to 21 December 2011, with a Santa Claus musical parade, concerts and street entertainment. And don’t miss "Cabanes en fête", the all-new winter oyster festival on 3th December. On the agenda: events uniting oyster farmers and wine growers from Entre-deux-Mers, tasting sessions, bands and bandas, exhibitions, a nautical parade… 
> Arcachon (33): from 3 December 2011 to 2 January 2012, Arcachon celebrates Christmas around its skating rink, on Esplanade Georges Pompidou.
(Photo : Mairie d'Arcachon)
> Bayonne (64): 1st December to 30th December 2011 on Place de la Liberté and at Le Réduit. In the area surrounding the market: free ice skating rink, arts and crafts village and entertainment.
> Bergerac (24): Christmas market on historic center, 35 craftspeople, Thursday 16 to Friday 24 December 2011 (10 am to 7.00 pm).
> Biarritz (64): Magical Christmas, 17 December to 1 January 2012, Christmas lights, shows and street performances.
> Biscarosse (40): Christmas market from 17 to 24 December 2011 (10 am to 7.30 pm). 
> Bordeaux (33): Christmas lights and, from Friday 25 November to Thursday 30 December 2011, Christmas market on Allées de Tourny. (Photo : Mairie de Bordeaux/Thomas Sanson)
Show some solidarity this Christmas, as Artisans of the World hold their own Christmas market from December 2nd-4th in the Halle des Chartrons, featuring a wide range of Fair Trade products (jewels, toys, decorative items, cosmetics, leather goods and more).
www.admbordeaux.org
> Cadillac (33): 17 and 18 December 2011, Christmas market with crafts exhibitions and various events for kids and adults.
> Créon (33): On 10 and 11 December 2011, the 11th Christmas Market will be dedicated mainly to children: toys, board games, clothing, decorations and second-hand toys.
> Hendaye (64): 13 to 30 December 2011, many events are held all day long.
> Langon (33): 22 to 24 December 2011, thirty exhibitors will be present with street entertainment: musical entertainment, carousel and mini-farm for children.
> Monségur (33) : on 17 December 2011, a traditional fair offering delicacies (duck, foie gras, wine…) and crafts will be held in the indoor market. Duck and goose market.
> Mont-de-Marsan (40): Christmas market in the town centre, Saturday 10 to Saturday 31 December 2011, musical events, free inflatable castles for kids and, of course, Father Christmas!
> Pau (64): the Christmas market of the city of Henry IV is scheduled to take place between 2 to 31 December 2011, in Place Clémenceau and rue Joffre. A Pyrenean crafts market and gourmet village from 10 to 31 December.
> Penne d'Agenais (47): 8 December 2011 to 1 January 2012, "échoppes en fête" is an event with craftspeople and local producers …
> Périgueux (24): "A Magical Christmas" in this town of art and history with unusual visits during the day and at night (with Chinese lanterns), a skating rink on the theatre esplanade… 3 to 24 December 2011, Francheville place. 
> Sarlat (24): Saturday 10 to Saturday 31 December 2011, a big Christmas market organised with 45 theme chalets. For kids and adults, many free events are planned for the three weekends: “ludothèque”, Christmas tales, Christmas cookery courses, magic shows, skating rink, concerts...
(Photo : Mathieu Anglada)
> Villeneuve-sur-Lot (47) also has its Christmas market, with colour and music, 10 to 24 December 2011.
