La Fête des Rois, also known as the Feast of the Epiphany, is a traditional Christian festival celebrated on January 6th in France and other French-speaking countries, such as Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada. The festival marks the arrival of the Magi, or the Three Wise Men, to visit the baby Jesus, as described in the Bible.
The main feature of La Fête des Rois is the traditional pastry, called “galette des rois,” which is a round, flaky pastry made from puff pastry and filled with frangipane, a sweet almond cream. The pastry is typically decorated with sugar and sometimes with cand fruits. A small figurine of a king is hidden inside the pastry, and whoever finds it in their slice becomes “king for a day” and is traditionally given the privilege of choosing his queen and to be served first by others.
The celebration is usually a family gathering, and people share the pastry around a table. It is also a popular time for friends to gather and enjoy the pastry together.
In some regions, the Fête des Rois is also marked by processions, fireworks, and other religious and cultural celebrations.