See also:
👉 Noël — Christmas »
👉 Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas) — Word of the Day »
👉 French Christmas vocabulary (with audio) »
Level A1-A2 (Beginner)
Updated December 21, 2025 — Lesson written by French teacher David Issokson for students who want to learn French online, with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier, a voice artist from France.
The French Word of the Day is Père Noël, which means Santa Claus and literally “Father Christmas”. In this lesson you’ll discover two more ways to say Santa Claus in French so you can use it naturally this holiday season.
✅ Meaning
✅ Pronunciation
✅ Example sentences
✅ Related Words & Expressions
📘 Père Noël meaning
Père Noël is the standard French name for Santa Claus, the familiar gift-giving character of Christmas. You’ll hear Père Noël used in holiday greetings, children’s stories, decorations, and everyday December conversation in France. While Père Noël is the most common form, Papa Noël is also widely used, especially by children and in songs. You’ll also hear the name Saint Nicolas in certain regional traditions in northeastern France and Belgium.
🎧 How to pronounce Père Noël in French
👉 The pronunciation of Père Noël is /pɛʁ nɔ.ɛl/ — roughly “pehr no-ell”.
📝 Père Noël example sentences
Le Père Noël est le personnage symbolique de Noël.
Santa Claus is the symbolic character of Christmas.
Est-ce que tes enfants croient encore au Père Noël ?
Do your kids still believe in Santa Claus?
Continue learning (with audio)
These related French Christmas lessons will help you sound more natural during the holiday.
Joyeux Noël
How to say Merry Christmas in French
Bûche de Noël
Discover the most famous Christmas dessert
Saumon fumé
Explore this French Christmas delicacy!
French Christmas vocabulary
Master 70+ Christmas words (with native audio)
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- la hotte du Père Noël — Santa’s sack
- les rennes — reindeer
- le traîneau — sleigh
- les lutins du Père Noël — Santa’s elves
- une lettre au Père Noël — a letter to Santa
- les cadeaux — presents
🔗 More Christmas lessons:
🔤 Word of the Day Christmas Lessons
👉 Joyeux Noël – Merry Christmas
👉 Le sapin de Noël – Christmas Tree
👉 Bonne Année – Happy New Year
👉 French Christmas vocabulary
🎶 Christmas Songs & Culture
👉 French Christmas Songs (full list)
👉 Petit Papa Noël
👉 Douce nuit, sainte nuit
🚀 Continue growing your French vocabulary!
👉 French Word of the Day »
👉 French Vocabulary lists »
👉 French for beginners guide »
👉 French song lyrics hub »
👉 French conjugations hub
Père Noël — Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you say Santa Claus in French?
The standard name is Père Noël, which literally means “Father Christmas.” Your lesson also notes that Papa Noël is widely used, especially by children and in holiday songs.
What is the difference between Père Noël and Saint Nicolas?
Père Noël is the primary gift-giving character used across France in December. However, Saint Nicolas is still a popular figure in specific regional traditions in northeastern France and Belgium.
How do you pronounce Père Noël?
The pronunciation is [pɛʁ nɔ.ɛl], which sounds roughly like “pehr no-ell.” The name consists of two parts: Père (Father) and Noël (Christmas).
What are the French words for Santa’s sleigh and reindeer?
In French, Santa’s sleigh is called le traîneau and his reindeer are les rennes. He carries his gifts in a sack known as la hotte du Père Noël.
