“La Galette des Rois” (the King’s Cake) is a cake for the Epiphany (the day celebrated every 6th of January when the three kings came to honor and pay their respects to the newborn baby Jesus) and traditionally sold and consumed a few days before and after this date. In modern France, the cakes can be found in most bakeries during the end of December and the month of January. The cake consists of flaky puff pastry layers with a dense center of frangipane.
Tradition holds that the cake is “to draw the kings” to the Epiphany. Feve is French for bean. Traditionally, a feve or bean was hidden in the galette (cake) as a "prize" to be discovered whilst eating. However, by the 19th century, the bean had been replaced by something a bit more refined, usually a small ceramic figurine, but the name stuck. Nowadays, the feve has become a collectible and you can find all sorts of styles. But you have to be careful of this tiny figurine hidden inside when you eat the cake!!
The person who finds the figurine in their slice becomes king for the day. A paper crown is included with the cake to crown the "king". To ensure a random distribution of the cake slices, it is traditional for the youngest person to place themselves under the table and as each slice is cut he/she calls out aloud the names of the person who will get that slice.
Formerly, one divided the cake in as many shares as guests, plus one. The latter, called "the share of God," or "share of the poor" was intended for the first poor person to arrive at the home. An interesting fact to note is that the French President is not allowed to “to draw the kings” on Epiphany because of etiquette rules.
Starting December 15, 2009, the St. Michel’s Bakery, located in Rockville and at the Women’s Farmers’ Market in Bethesda, will sell the “Galette des rois”. You can also find a range of other authentic French breads and pastries. For more information about the exact location and their product range, visit