Learning by Doing: French 5 Celebrates Epiphany with La Galette des Rois

In Falmouth Academy’s French 5 class, language learning extends well beyond vocabulary lists and verb conjugations. This January, students brought French culture to life by celebrating Epiphany the traditional way—by baking une galette des rois.

The galette des rois is a classic French pastry enjoyed each year on January 6. Made with flaky puff pastry and a rich almond filling known as frangipane, the cake is steeped in centuries-old tradition. As students mixed, baked, and learned new culinary vocabulary along the way, the kitchen transformed into a hands-on cultural experience.

The celebration culminated in one of the most beloved parts of the tradition: cutting the cake. In France, a small charm—called la fève—is hidden inside the galette. Whoever finds it in their slice is crowned le roi or la reine for the day. True to tradition, one FA student discovered the fève (or, chocolate in this case) and was proudly named “king for the day."

Moments like these capture what learning looks like at FA. By engaging all the senses—speaking, listening, creating, tasting—students develop a deeper understanding of language and culture. It’s joyful, memorable, and meaningful learning that stays with them long after class ends.