Around Christmas in the Vaison Ventoux Provenceregion

It’s that time of year again…

The nativity scene is an integral part of Christmas culture in Provence. A true symbol of Provence and a testament to its craftsmanship, the santons are a source of great pride!

The stable takes centre stage in the nativity scene to represent rural life surrounding the Nativity. Also featured are the shepherds, the animals and traditional trades, set against a Provençal landscape featuring hills, a river and a bridge… The nativity scene is embellished with a little moss, branches, foliage, vine shoots, small pebbles, rosemary, a few olive twigs… and a star overlooks the scene, just like the star that watches over the village of Séguret!

Whilst we wait until 24 December to place the Baby Jesus and until Epiphany on the first Sunday in January to place the Three Wise Men, the pots prepared on Saint Barbara’s Day are placed beside the nativity scene, waiting to be set out on the Christmas table…

Highlights: At the end of November, Vaison-la-Romaine hosts santon makers and nativity scene creators for a weekend at the Santonnales fair! And from late November until Candlemas, the Tourist Office Vaison Ventoux Provence hosts a nativity scene created by local santon makers: come and see it – free entry and as much as you like!

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

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Exhibition Creche Seguret 06 Rotated
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Sophie Augier

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Ble Sainte Barbe Salon Santonnales
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Laure Garrido

The Feast of Saint Barbara, celebrated on 4 December, marks the start of the Christmas preparations…

On this day, it is customary to place ‘wheat of hope’ or other grains such as lentils, chickpeas or maize in a saucer to germinate… so that they grow into lush 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 warmer months.

Nativity scenes take centre stage with exhibitions to explore during this festive season and throughout the year at the santon makers’ workshops in Vaison Ventoux Provence.

Véronique Dornier, based near Brantes, with her unmissable blue santons, and Denis Vœux, based near Séguret, invite you to discover their creations and their genuine craftsmanship!

OTI Vaison Ventoux Provence team — ©
Sophie AUGIER - Welcome, Web and Terroir/Wine referent

It’s such a pleasure to pass on these traditions to my children – decorating the Christmas tree and setting up the nativity scene. We head to the edge of the woods to gather some moss, branches, foliage and so on, and on the way back, we collect vine shoots, small pebbles, rosemary and a few olive twigs.
These are lovely moments of togetherness, filled with joy and good cheer, all set to the sound of Christmas music and, of course, accompanied by some tasty treats.

Sophie

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Christmas in Vaison Ventoux Provence - Buisson
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Dorian VENZI

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Noël en Vaison Ventoux Provence - Villedieu
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Dorian VENZI

Midnight Mass and the ‘Cacho-Fio’

These two rituals bring a traditional, Provençal flavour to the festivities and embody the spirit of Christmas in Vaison Ventoux Provence. This deep attachment to customs creates a unique link between the past and the present.

Midnight Mass is a central part of the Christmas celebrations. It traditionally takes place on the night of 24 December to 25 December. On Vaison Ventoux Provence, churches welcome worshippers and visitors alike for a celebration steeped in solemnity and devotion. It is a unique Mass in Provence, where Provençal songs and nativity scenes – sometimes live ones – add an extra touch of emotion…

In the village of Séguret, traditions are kept alive with its famous live nativity scene,‘Li Bergie’, performed every year since the 16th century by the village’s residents. These are moments of togetherness that strengthen the spirit of sharing. This year, the live nativity scene will take place on Traditions Day.

Mass times

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Creche Vivante Seguret
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Champetier Thibault

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Creche Vivante Villageois Seguret
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Les amis de Séguret

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Cacho Fio Seguret
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Les amis de Séguret

The Cacho Fio symbolises a blessing for the house and its inhabitants for the coming year. It is a tradition involving lighting a log in the hearth. This log comes from a fruit tree such as a cherry or apricot tree. The log is carried by the oldest and youngest members of the family, symbolising the passing of traditions between generations.

The log must burn slowly throughout the evening, sometimes until New Year’s Day, as a sign of prosperity. Mulled wine or new oil is poured over it whilst reciting these words:

“Rejoice! Rejoice! May God bring us joy! Cacho-fio is coming, all is well; may God grant us the grace to see the coming year. If we are not more, let us not be less. May He give us plenty of bread and plenty of flour, and a full cask of wine!”

“Joy! Joy! May God bring us joy! Cacho-fio is coming, all is well. May God grant us the grace to see the coming year. If we are not more, let us not be less. May He give us enough wheat and enough flour, and a full vat of wine!”

Vaison Ventoux Provence The Christmas shop

Christmas is that magical time when we share smiles, exchange gifts and create memories with our loved ones. This year, the team at the Vaison Ventoux Provence Tourist Office invites you to experience these moments of joy with four unique gift sets, designed to delight and bring pleasure. Immerse yourself in the magic of the festive season with our carefully curated gift sets, sure to delight all food lovers and those who appreciate thoughtful gestures. Treat your loved ones to a moment of pleasure, discovery and togetherness. Each gift set is an invitation to celebrate togetherness and fine food, in the warm spirit of Christmas.

Starry Delights

Designed for those with a discerning palate, let yourself be tempted by the Starry Delights gift set, a true celebration of fine food. This gift set evokes the warmth of shared meals and the richness of culinary traditions.

Enchanted Flavours

The Enchanted Flavours gift set is an invitation to indulge in the heart of the magic of Christmas. It brings together a selection of savoury, festive and refined delicacies, making for a thoughtful gift that invites you to enjoy, share and savour the festive season.

Magical Break

The ‘Magical Break’ gift set offers a moment of well-being amidst the magic of Christmas. This gift set invites you to relax, recharge your batteries and fully savour the serenity and magic of the season. A moment for yourself or to share with a loved one.

Esprits Croisés

Elegance, refinement and shared enjoyment: Esprits Croisés celebrates the art of wine tasting. Comprising two bottles carefully selected from our exceptional appellations, it offers the sort of epicurean interlude we love so much!

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Boutique Bien Etre Gift Set
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Luca Zehner

More ideas!

To make your festive celebrations even more special, why not discover our range of Christmas beers and unusual drinks, carefully selected to accompany your moments of togetherness and joy. Not to mention local specialities, souvenirs, books on heritage and other gift ideas, which are sure to delight your loved ones or make the perfect addition under the Christmas tree.

The Tourist Office shop

December is just round the corner, and I’d like to share with you what I love most about this time of year: the cosiness, the smiles, the little gifts given from the heart… Do pop in to see me at the Tourist Office shop Vaison Ventoux Provence. Together with the whole team, I’ll be there to help you choose the perfect gift set or present. At Christmas, it’s the little gestures that count… the ones that bring the greatest joy.

Sylvie

Deep down, for me, Christmas is all about the art of creating those little moments that really matter – moments that are genuine and stay with you for a long time. The festive season is drawing near and I can already feel that gentle warmth, hear the bursts of laughter filling the air, and sense that simple joy which, as if by magic, makes everything more precious, more real. The memories are there, and I can’t wait to fill Father Christmas’s sack…

Luca

Epiphany

On the first Sunday in January, the Feast of the Epiphany takes place… The Three Wise Men are placed in the nativity scene, whilst the shop windows of artisan bakers and pastry chefs Vaison Ventoux Provence are adorned with their finest cakes, ranging from frangipane to crown-shaped brioche decorated with candied fruit: melon, cherries, apricots, plums or orange slices. These glistening fruits represent the gifts brought by the Three Wise Men to the Baby Jesus.

Galettes des Rois are enjoyed fromEpiphany right through to Candlemas!

It is traditional to share these cakes and to have the youngest member of the family sit under the table so that they can distribute the slices to the other family members without favouritism. The person who finds the charm is crowned and, most importantly, must provide the next cake!

Did you know? In Provence, people who didn’t hesitate to swallow the figurine so as not to have to buy the next one were called ‘grinchous’ (miserly)… and it may well be for this reason that the edible bean was replaced by a porcelain one, which is harder to digest!

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Epiphany Galette Des Rois
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Pâtisserie Peyrerol

It’s up to you to choose your galette!

Pâtisserie PeyrerolVaison-la-Romaine

Léone Artisan Glacier - La BoutiqueVaison-la-Romaine

Picard Saint Romain en ViennoisSaint-Romain-en-Viennois

Chocolaterie ChaloinPuyméras

Christmas time in Roman times…

Perhaps the reason our Christmas traditions in Provence are so rich is that 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 time out of time. These celebrations, which took place at the end of December, turned the social order on its head, as slaves were granted a degree of freedom. Known as the Saturnalia, these festivities were a time of merriment, featuring lavish feasts, the exchange of gifts, and games of dice and chance!

Back then, sweet treats were already being shared amongst friends and neighbours, accompanied by warm wishes and small homemade gifts. It was a time of sharing, when everyone would go from house to house… Homes, for their part, were adorned with garlands of green foliage and small hanging wax figures. All the magic of Christmas was already in place, and the festivities often continued until early January, the time for New Year’s gifts, thus prolonging this season of conviviality and generosity.

Stay In Vaison Ventoux Provence

Do you dream of experiencing and sharing these Provençal Christmas traditions? Vaison Ventoux Provence is the perfect destination! To make your stay as easy as possible, we’ve selected a range of accommodation options, top dining spots and a host of unmissable activities. Start planning your trip now, with complete peace of mind!