New traditions for an old chateau

Putting on matching Christmas pajamas, baking cookies and gingerbread houses, and feasting on a succulent turkey on Christmas Day – many families cultivate very specific holiday traditions in December. Let's raise the curtains behind the scenes at Château de Montcaud and take a look at the Montcaud family's very own festive traditions.

Counting down

In Provence, the countdown to Christmas tends to begin on 4th December, also known as Saint Barbara's Day. On this day, lentils and wheat seeds are sown on three plates, symbolizing the Holy Trinity – we wrote about this and other local Christmas traditions in a blogpost last year. In our little oasis in the Cèze Valley, on the western edge of Provence, the festive traditions start somewhat earlier – notably in the last week of November.

a blogpost last year

Starry sky

Every year, after the high season, Château de Montcaud closes for a month. But although November is a quiet month, there is no question of standing still. While the château grounds and a large part of the operational team are resting, preparations for the end-of-year season begin behind the closed gate. Minor renovation and tidying works are taken care of. Then, a week before Bistro de Montcaud reopens at the beginning of December, large boxes are taken out of storage, and Château de Montcaud puts on its festive decor. The highlight of the decorations is most certainly the starry sky in the plane tree avenue – around 200 stars made from the park's own cedar wood – and the Christmas lights hung in the park's centenarian trees. All in all, a dreamy sight worthy of an enchanting season.

Bistro de Montcaudpark's

A not so silent night

On a Tuesday afternoon in the first half of December, shortly after the final bell, the playground of the local kindergarten and primary school moves to the château's park: the teachers set up market stalls with their students' handicrafts and the parents' association is busy offering workshops for the children. In the centre of the market square the kids can pick up their afternoon snack straight from the Montcaud patisserie, and members of the hotel team tend to the drinks stand. For the second time this year, food truck Eugène will be mingling with the crowds, serving mulled wine, hot chocolate and other hot beverages. All of the Montcaud employees are on duty today, as the aim is to raise money for the school, and all profits from food and drink sales are therefore donated.

food truck Eugène

Joy for the heart, ears and tastebuds

As the park fills up that evening with roughly 300 of the children's parents, siblings and grandparents, none other than head chef Matthieu Hervé stands at the BBQ; a little bit of Alsace in the large pot on the fire: Schupfnudeln. Sceptical at first, our Southern French neighbours now swear by this dish of sauerkraut, bacon and gnocchi, and practice pronouncing its name throughout the year.

head chef Matthieu Hervé

The highlight of this school Christmas party, of course, is the children's choir on the château steps, leaving no parent's eyes dry. This emotional moment is followed by a countdown: for a brief moment, everything goes dark, and at "zero", the Christmas trees in the park light up for the first time. From the shadows of the trees, a very special visitor emerges carrying a large sack…Incidentally, this magical evening often falls on or around St Nicholas' Day, which is hardly known in the south of France, but presents a nod to the owner family's Swiss roots, and opens the discussion on who this man with the long beard and red coat really is.

Traditionally Swiss…or French?

Speaking of Swiss roots – a whopping ten kilograms of Swiss cheese are on offer at the traditional raclette dinner in the Bertschi family's lodging, adjacent to the restaurant building. The twelve permanent employees, as well as the core team from the previous season, and their families gather around the kitchen and the three raclette ovens for a big feast. Up to 50 adults and children share pans and stories on this fun evening, as well as the standard discussion on the true origins of Raclette.

The cheese may come from Switzerland, but the accompanying potatoes are of course locally produced, and another local tradition has crept into the raclette fun: in France, the melted cheese is not just eaten with pickled vegetables and potatoes. A generous platter of cold cuts is a must. Wine from local estates is served, and they are happy to sponsor a bottle or two for the informal staff party. As for dessert, there are homemade delicacies straight from the team member's kitchens.

Family time

As we approach the end of the year, the château and the restaurants are festively decorated, and the cosy corner by the open fireplace invites you to linger. The anticipation grows with every business event, themed evening and dinner. As 24th December is traditionally spent at home in France, Bistro de Montcaud stays shut, and our team has the opportunity to spend this day with their families.

From 25th December, Château de Montcaud fully reopens and guests make themselves comfortable in the tastefully decorated rooms, or come for the Christmas menu, a get-together between the holidays and, of course, for the jazzy New Year's Eve. Needless to say, the glass of champagne at midnight is shared with the members of the Montcaud family, and then, on 1st January, we celebrate the first traditional highlight of the new year: the popular New Year's brunch for the extended family – you! Cheers!

jazzy New Year's EveNew Year's brunch