A Historical Traditional Christmas in France

Dec. 9, 2009 - PRLog -- Do you like santons and nativity scenes that decorate churches and houses for Christmas? I am taking you to Provence to discover the historical traditions for the Holiday Season in this beautiful region of Southern France.

The Christmas Season traditionally lasts forty days in Provence, until Candlemas. This long period encouraged the development of very specific ceremonies: display in the churches of a magnificent crèche as from the XVIIth century, creation of pastoral plays and a ”Provencialization” of the Midnight Mass. For the occasion, shepherds, fishermen and peasants offer a lamb, fish or apples with flowers as a present of prosperity.

The santons (from the Provençal “santoun” meaning little saints), those lovely terracotta hand painted figurines were created by J-L Lagnel (1764-1827) during the French Revolution when churches were closed. They are made of clay in a plaster mold and fired in a kiln. Each santon (in all 55) is decorated according to the fashion under King Louis Philippe (1830) and has its own history which is told in the pastoral plays of Provence, they represent the various characters of the crib, shepherds and local trades
. The associated traditional animals such as the ox, ass, sheep, lamb, dog, hens, cocks and dromedary with the Three Magi are also part of the décor as well as the typical cypress-trees of Provence.  The “Musée du Santon” in Marseilles displays a wide collection of figurines from the XVIIIth and XIXth centuries. In 1803, soon after the Concordat, the first Santon Fair was held in Marseilles. It still takes place from late November till early January each year on top of the world famous Canebière, the main thoroughfare of the town leading to the Old Port. Saint-François is the patron saint of santons makers.

The “Gros Souper” is the main meatless dinner served in Provence on Christmas  Eve and consists of several fish dishes and vegetables. Many deserts are offered allowing children to wait until the Midnight Mass. They are 13 as a reference to the Christ and his 12 Apostles.

Merry Christmas to all my Triond friends. Peace be with you all and thank you for your kindness at all times.

The shepherd in the Mistral wind. A typical santon of Provence.

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