The origin of the galette des rois: a pagan rite that has become tradition
Before talking about the date, we must understand where this custom comes from. The galette des rois finds its origins in the Roman Saturnaliaa pagan festival where social roles were reversed. For the occasion, an ephemeral king was chosen thanks to a bean hidden in a cake.
Over time, this tradition was recovered by Christians to celebrate theEpiphanya festival which marks the visit of the Three Wise Men to the child Jesus. The galette des rois then becomes a festive symbol linked to this religious celebration.
The official day of Epiphany: January 6
In Christian tradition, Epiphany is celebrated each year on January 6. This day symbolizes the end of the Christmas holidays and marks the moment when the Three Wise Men (Gaspard, Melchior and Balthazar) would have paid homage to the child Jesus by offering him gifts.
In France, although this date remains the historical landmark, Epiphany is often celebrated the first Sunday in January for practical reasons. This allows everyone to share the cake with family or friends without disrupting the daily routine of the week.
In 2025, what day should you eat pancakes?
In 2025, Epiphany falls Monday January 6. However, as is customary in France, most people will enjoy their galette the previous Sunday, January 5. This leaves the possibility of bringing the family together more easily around this festive moment.
-Obviously, nothing stops you from prolonging the pleasure and eating pancakes throughout the month of January. The bakers and your children won’t complain!
The pancake today: a secular and gourmet tradition
Beyond its religious origin, the galette des rois has become widely popularized. For many, it is above all an opportunity to get together and share a friendly moment. Whether you choose a frangipane galette, a brioche des rois or a revisited version, the main thing is to enjoy the pleasure of tradition.
To summarize
If you want to respect tradition, eat your galette des rois on Sunday January 5, 2025 or January 6 for the official Epiphany. But nothing stops you from enjoying it throughout the month of January. The important thing is to savor this gourmet moment and perpetuate this tradition, whether with a bean, a crown, or simply a good piece of pancake shared with the family.
