Christmas Day

I notice there seems to be a mismatch in the data provided - Christmas Day is traditionally celebrated on December 25th, not in July. However, I'll provide a description of Christmas celebrations in France:

In France, Noël (Christmas) represents one of the most important religious and cultural celebrations of the year, traditionally commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday's Christian origins merged with pre-existing winter solstice festivities during the Roman era, creating the rich tapestry of traditions seen today.

French Christmas celebrations typically begin with Advent in early December. Cities and villages come alive with illuminated decorations and marchés de Noël (Christmas markets), a tradition borrowed from neighboring Germany. The most famous of these is in Strasbourg, which dates back to 1570 and draws millions of visitors annually.

On Christmas Eve (le Réveillon), French families gather for an elaborate feast that often includes oysters, foie gras, and the traditional bûche de Noël (Yule log cake). Many attend la Messe de Minuit (Midnight Mass), followed by the opening of presents brought by Père Noël (Father Christmas).

Unlike some Anglo-Saxon countries where December 26th is also celebrated, French Christmas celebrations focus primarily on December 24th and 25th. Children traditionally place their shoes by the fireplace or under the tree, rather than hanging stockings as done in America and Britain.

Modern French society maintains a largely secular approach to Christmas, though traditional elements remain strong. The holiday period has become an important economic season, yet many French families preserve customs like the traditional crèche (nativity scene) and regional variations in celebration. In Provence, for instance, the tradition of the thirteen desserts representing Jesus and the twelve apostles continues to this day.

One unique French Christmas tradition is that of Père Fouettard, who accompanies Saint Nicolas in northeastern France. This somewhat darker character is said to punish misbehaving children, though this tradition has largely softened in modern times.