King Sunday: A Sweet French Tradition Worth Sharing
A cozy January ritual with galettes, golden crowns, and the joy of gathering.
Every January, just as France gently settles back into its winter rhythm, something wonderfully simple and joyful happens in homes, cafés, and bakeries across the country: King Sunday, or La Fête des Rois.
Rooted in the Christian celebration of the Epiphany, the day traditionally commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to the newborn Jesus. But today, in France, the tradition has grown into something broader and warmly inclusive, a cultural ritual that marks the beginning of the new year with sweetness, togetherness, and just a hint of magic.
At French Moods, where we celebrate “adding a little French to your Life,” King Sunday is the perfect example of how a small, delicious ritual can bring people closer and make winter feel brighter.
A Tradition with Ancient Roots
The sharing of the Galette des Rois dates back centuries.
While the Epiphany provides the religious foundation, the joyful custom of enjoying a special cake in early January has long since blended sacred symbolism with everyday conviviality.
In French households—religious or not—King Sunday has become a beloved moment simply to gather, reconnect after the holidays, and welcome the new year with something golden and festive.
The Two Beloved Galettes: Frangipane & Brioche
France has two classic versions of the galette, each with its own personality.
1. The Classic Frangipane Galette
A buttery puff pastry filled with luscious almond cream.
Elegant. Aromatic. Utterly irresistible. This version reigns in Paris and many of France’s northern regions.
Think of it as the “city galette”, refined, golden, and beautifully flaky.
2. The Brioche Crown
In the South of France, including Provence, people adore the brioche des rois: a soft, fragrant crown-shaped brioche, often studded with candied fruit and sugar pearls.
It is joyful, colorful, and celebratory, like a little sunshine on a winter day.
Many French families enjoy both versions throughout January, embracing the season with comforting, festive flavors that brighten the winter days.
The Hidden Charm: La Fève
At the heart of the galette tradition lies la fève, the tiny treasure baked inside.
Originally, this was exactly what the name suggests: a simple fava bean. Humble, symbolic, and easy to find. Over the centuries, the fève evolved from bean to something far more whimsical and collectible.
Today’s fèves come in every theme imaginable:
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miniature porcelain kings and queens,
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tiny animals,
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symbols of the new year,
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fairy-tale or cartoon characters,
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little objects like books, teapots, or pastries,
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special limited-edition fèves from iconic French pâtisseries.
Some people in France even collect fèves (they’re called fabophiles!) and trade them the way others collect coins or charms.
Whoever finds the fève becomes the King or Queen of the Day, receiving the paper crown that accompanies every galette, and the joyful privilege of choosing their “royal court” for the afternoon.
Children love it. Adults pretend not to care… but everyone secretly hopes to discover that tiny surprise.
And according to an unofficial-but-widely-followed French rule, whoever finds the fève must buy the next galette… which is how January quietly becomes an endless, delicious loop!
A cozy January ritual
What makes King Sunday so special isn’t just the pastry. It’s the moment it creates:
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a warm home,
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a fragrant galette coming out of the oven,
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hot tea, coffee, cocoa or cider,
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people you love gathered around.
As winter settles in and the new year unfolds, King Sunday invites us to slow down, savor something delicious, and gather with the people who bring warmth to our lives.
Whether you’re discovering the tradition for the first time or rekindling childhood memories, the simple act of sharing a galette creates a moment of joy, one that lingers far beyond the last crumb.
May this lovely French ritual inspire your January with sweetness, connection, and a touch of golden magic.
Galette Frangipane
Galette Brioche
Slice of Galette Frangipane
A Trio of Fèves
Golden galettes lined up in a French pâtisserie
Finding the Feve!
From My Family to Yours
In my own family, King Sunday is also a sweet tradition. My cousins in Bastia, Corsica, are pâtissiers, and their galette recipe is one we cherish year after year.
Their shop in Bastia is a place filled with heart, where family, craftsmanship, and Corsican hospitality come together every day.
I’ll be sharing their Corsican-style Galette des Rois very soon, an inviting blend of tradition and Mediterranean warmth.