Père Fouettard, the Whipping Father
In France and Belgium, Saint Nicholas brings presents on 6 December. Behind him walks his dark companion, Père Fouettard, carrying a whip for naughty children.
What was reported
Père Fouettard, 'Father Whipper', is the companion of Saint Nicholas in parts of France, Belgium and Luxembourg. While Saint Nicholas gives sweets and gifts to good children on 6 December, Père Fouettard, dressed in dark robes with a wild beard, carries a whip or bundle of twigs for those who have been bad.
His origin story is dark: he's said to be a butcher or innkeeper who lured and killed children, who were brought back to life by Saint Nicholas. As punishment, he must follow the saint forever.
Explanations offered
The legend is often said to date to the siege of Metz in 1552, when townspeople burned an effigy of the emperor, though this is uncertain. He belongs with Krampus and Knecht Ruprecht as one of the 'dark helpers' of the Christmas season.
- When
- Told since the 1500s
- Where
- Metz, Lorraine, France
- Witnesses
- French and Belgian folklore
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.
More from France