Santa Claus may be the present-day icon of Christmas, but residents of property in France's Franche-Comte destination Montbeliard have a different tale to tell.
The French Government Tourist Office explains that Aunt Airie and her donkey Marion were delivering presents to children in the town two centuries before Santa Claus arrived for the first time.
Like the present-day figure of fun, the Airie fairy only gave treats to good children – and left a boot full of switches for the naughty boys and girls.
Current residents of property in France's town of festive legend continue to share her story with visitors from overseas.
In doing so, they maintain a tradition dating back as far as the 15th century which has been sustained through the handing down of the tale through the generations.
A modern tradition also takes place each year as festive lights are strung above the town, with 65,000 bulbs used in this year's display, according to the Office du Tourisme de Montbeliard.
