Pere Fouettard
Santa Claus is well-known for having a naughty and a nice list. And in France, according to a centuries-old legend, Santa has a sidekick that takes care of those not-so-good kids. Named Père Fouettard, meaning Whipping Father, he accompanies Saint Nicholas on the religious feast day of December 6. His dark, brutish appearance coupled with his name leaves little unspoken for: Père Fouettard threatens bad children with a spanking.
