Category: Upcoming events

The New Year is fast approaching, and it’s already time to revive a cherished French tradition! We’re delighted to invite you to an exclusive Galette des Rois party, organized by CCI France Estonie. This year’s celebration promises to be exceptional, as we’ve chosen the lively Loulou district as the venue. The evening will not only allow you to savor the delicious flavors of this traditional French pastry, but also to immerse yourself in its charming customs.

The evening will be full of surprises, with music and other enchanting moments…

We are also delighted to announce that our talented member François Arnould ( www.francois.ee ) will personally make the Galette des Rois for this celebration.

Find out more about this much-loved French tradition below:

Event details :

• Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026.
• Time: 6:30pm.
• Location: Loulou, Laeva tänav 1, Tallinn, 10111, Harju maakond, Estonia

Admission is €30 for CCI FE members.
Non-members pay €39.
Children are welcome, but must also register (ticket €18).

The ticket gives you access to 2 glasses of bubbles (free alcohol available), a buffet of savoury snacks and, of course, the Galette des Rois!

If you would like to become a member of CCI France Estonia and join our party at a discounted price, please email us at event@ccife.ee .

Reminder :

• The number of tickets is limited.
• Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the scheduled date will not be reimbursed.
• Registration is compulsory for all participants.
• A waiting list will be created in case of full enrolment.

The history of the Galette des Rois :

A storied past:

The origins of the galette des Rois date back to Roman antiquity, when the festival of Saturnalia was celebrated with feasting and revelry. Over the centuries, the tradition has evolved, blending with various cultural and religious practices.

The Feast of the Epiphany:

The modern incarnation of the galette des Rois is closely associated with the Christian celebration of Epiphany, which commemorates the arrival of the Three Wise Men with baby Jesus, marking the end of the Christmas season.

The recipe for the galette :

The galette itself, a delicious puff pastry filled with almond cream or frangipane, symbolizes community unity and sharing. Its round shape represents the sun, in reference to pagan celebrations of the winter solstice.

The hidden charm – “Fève”:

The addition of the hidden charm, or “fève”, is a relatively recent development in the Galette des Rois tradition. Originally, a whole dried bean was used as a symbol of fertility and prosperity. Today, the bean is often a small figurine, and the person who uncovers it in its slice is crowned king or queen.

Choose royalty:

The person who finds the bean has the honor of being the temporary monarch, and has the delightful responsibility of choosing his or her king or queen. This adds a playful, inclusive element to the celebration, as the crowned person shares his or her joy with others.

A strong French tradition:

A highlight at the beginning of the year for the President of the French Republic, the tradition of the Galette des Rois is unique. Since Valéry Giscard d’Estaing in 1975, the Élysée Palace has celebrated Epiphany with a galette that contains no beans. Indeed, according to the republican rules of the French Revolution, there can be a president at the Élysée… but no king! So, even if the crowning of the person who finds the bean is purely symbolic, it cannot be accepted within the confines of the official residence of the Republic.
Each year, a different baker-patissier is called upon, as Epiphany at the Élysée is also a great opportunity to showcase and congratulate this delicious savoir-faire. The galette des Rois made for the French president usually measures 1.20 meters in diameter!