In France, Santa is called Père Noël, which literally means “Father Christmas.”

Main name in France

  • The standard French name is Père Noël , used everywhere in France for “Santa Claus.”
  • Young children sometimes say Papa Noël , a more childlike “Daddy Christmas,” but it refers to the same character.

Extra little context

  • Like the English Father Christmas or Santa, Père Noël is pictured in a red suit with a white beard, delivering presents at Christmas.
  • In some eastern regions of France, children also hear stories about Saint Nicolas and his darker companion Le Père Fouettard , but the gift-bringer at Christmas today is still Père Noël.

So if you are wondering “what do they call Santa in France?” the simple answer is: Père Noël.

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