Each year before Christmas, families in Provence very much attached to their traditions build a "creche de Noel" in their homes or in chapels. These are more elaborate than many you might see, as they not only show figurines called "santons" of biblical characters of the nativity, but also all the picturesque characters of a typical provencal village from the past. The biblical story of the birth of Christ has been transported to a Provencal village!
Among the characters are all the tradesmen of the village: the boulanger, bergers, vannier, porteur d'eau, pecheurs, paysan, lavandière, poissonnière, bouquetière, rétameur, chasseur, ramoneur, chiffonnier and the more original such as the ravi, bohemien, l'aveugle, vagabond and tabourinaire.
In the Garde Freinet chapel near St Tropez, until February 4th you can see a remarkable creche with thousands of figurines and a clever reproduction of provence countryside. The work involved each year in creating such elaborate creches is not only a hommage to Christmas but also to the spirit of Provence.
In the Garde Freinet chapel near St Tropez, until February 4th you can see a remarkable creche with thousands of figurines and a clever reproduction of provence countryside. The work involved each year in creating such elaborate creches is not only a hommage to Christmas but also to the spirit of Provence.
With these videos showing creches in Provence, we wish you an excellent Christmas season !
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