Santons 2023 exhibition at Sainte-Marie de l'Assomption cathedral

Around Christmas

The spirit of Provencal traditions in Vaison Ventoux Provence

Christmas in Vaison Ventoux Provence is much more than just a holiday: it’s a journey into the heart of Provencal traditions. From the beginning of December to Epiphany, every moment is marked by convivial events and ancestral Provencal rituals that warm hearts and rekindle the spirit of sharing. Heritage and tradition combine to create a magical, authentic atmosphere.

It's crèche time again...

Nativity scenes are an integral part of Christmas culture in Provence. A true emblem of Provence’s savoir-faire, santons are a source of great pride!

The crib takes center stage, representing rural life around the nativity scene. The crib also features shepherds, animals and traditional trades, set against a Provencal landscape of hills, rivers and bridges. The decorations embellish the crib with a little moss, branches, foliage, vine shoots, pebbles, rosemary, olive branches… and a star overhangs the crib, like the star that watches over the village of Séguret!

While we wait for December 24 to place the baby Jesus, and Epiphany on the first Sunday in January to place the Three Kings, the pots prepared on Saint Barbara’s Day take their place next to the crib, waiting to join the Christmas table…

Tip: At the end of November, Vaison-la-Romaine welcomes santonniers and créchistes for a weekend at the Salon des Santonnales!

The feast of Saint Barbara, celebrated on December 4, marks the beginning of preparations for Christmas…

On this day, it’s customary to sprout hope wheat or other grains such as lentils, chickpeas or corn in a saucer, so that they provide beautiful greenery, a sign of renewal, happiness, health and prosperity!

Did you know? This tradition stems from the ancient practices of the cult of Demeter, which sought to hasten the return of the fine weather.

Nativity scenes are in the spotlight, with exhibitions to be discovered during this calendar period and throughout the year at the santonniers located in Vaison Ventoux Provence.

Véronique Dornier from Brantes, with her unmistakable blue santons, and Denis Vœux from Séguret, invite you to discover their creations and genuine expertise!

Véronique Dornier's blue santons

Nativity scenes and calendar traditionsExhibitionVaison-la-Romaine

Nativity scenes and Provencal traditionsExhibitionSéguret

What a pleasure it is to pass on these traditions to my children as they decorate the tree and create the crib. We go to the edge of the woods to collect a little moss, branches, foliage etc., and on the way back, we collect vine shoots, small pebbles, rosemary and a few olive branches.

These were great moments of sharing, in a joyful and good-humored atmosphere, all set to a background of Christmas music and, of course, treats.

Sophie

Christmas in Vaison Ventoux Provence - Buisson

Noël en Vaison Ventoux Provence - Villedieu

Midnight mass and

These two rituals add a traditional Provencal dimension and embody the spirit of Christmas in Vaison Ventoux Provence. This deep attachment to customs creates a unique link between past and present.

Midnight Mass is a central part of the Christmas festivities. It traditionally takes place on the night of December 24 to December 25. In Vaison Ventoux Provence, churches welcome the faithful and visitors alike for a celebration marked by solemnity and fervor. A mass unique to Provence, where Provençal songs and nativity scenes, some of them live, add an extra touch of emotion… In the village of Séguret, traditions continue with the famous ” Li Bergie ” living nativity scene, performed every year since the 16th century by the villagers, followed by midnight mass in Provençal. Moments of conviviality that reinforce the spirit of sharing.

Mass times

Cacho Fio symbolizes the blessing of the house and its inhabitants for the coming year. A tradition consisting of lighting a log in the hearth. The log comes from a fruit tree such as a cherry or apricot. The trunk is carried by the eldest and youngest members of the family, symbolizing the handing down of generations.

The log must burn slowly throughout the evening, sometimes into the New Year, as a sign of prosperity. Boiled wine or new oil is poured over it as the following words are spoken:

“Allègre! Allègre! Dieu nous allègre! Cacho-fio ven, tout ven ebn, Dieu nous fague la graci de voir l’an que ven. Se sian pas mal fuguen pas mens. Que nous baïo proun bla e proun farino de vin uno pleno tino!”

“Allegresse! Allegresse! Dieu nous réjouisse! Cacho-fio comes, everything comes well. Dieu nous fais la grâce de voir l’an qui vient. If we are not more, let us not be less. May he give us enough wheat and enough flour and wine a full vat!”

The Epiphany

On the first Sunday in January, the season of kings takes place… The Three Wise Men are placed in the crib, and the shop windows of Vaison Ventoux Provence ‘s artisan bakers and patissiers are decked out with their finest cakes, from frangipane to brioche in the shape of a crown decorated with candied fruit: melon, cherries, apricots, plums or orange slices. These shiny fruits represent the offerings made by the Three Wise Men to the Infant Jesus.

Galettes des rois are eaten fromEpiphany to Candlemas!

It’s traditional to share these cakes, placing the smallest member of the family under the table so that he or she can allocate the cakes to the other members of the family without favoritism. The person who finds the bean is crowned and, above all, must offer the next galette!

Did you know? In Provence, “grinchous” (stingy) were those who didn’t hesitate to swallow the bean so as not to have to buy the next one… and it’s perhaps for this reason that the edible bean was replaced by a porcelain bean, more difficult to digest!

It's up to you to choose your galette!

Christmas time in Rome...

If our Christmas traditions in Provence are so rich, it’s perhaps because they have their roots in antiquity… In those days, the Romans celebrated the end of the year with the famous Saturnalia: a week of festivities marking a moment out of time. Held at the end of December, these festivities shook up the social order, as slaves enjoyed a degree of freedom. Known as the Saturnalia, they were a festive time of abundant feasting, gift-giving and games of dice and chance!

In those days, sweets were already being offered among friends and neighbors, accompanied by warm wishes and small homemade gifts. It was a time for sharing, with everyone going from house to house… As for the houses, they were adorned with garlands of green foliage and hanging wax figures. All the magic of Christmas was already in place, and the festivities often lasted until the beginning of January, the time of the “étrennes”, prolonging this time of conviviality and generosity.

Stay In Vaison Ventoux Provence

Would you like to share in Provencal Christmas traditions? Vaison Ventoux Provence is the ideal destination! To make your stay as easy as possible, we’ve selected a range of accommodations, gourmet addresses and a host of not-to-be-missed activities. Organize your visit with peace of mind today!

Where to sleep?
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What to do?

How do I get to Vaison Ventoux Provence?

Around Christmas...

Culinary traditions

For epicureans

The Christmas Fairy Tale