The Spirit of Christmas

A story to experience together

Under the skies of Vaison Ventoux Provence, Christmas has a unique charm.
Here, traditions are passed down, villages are aglow, and stories are whispered by the fireside. Amidst children’s laughter, bursts of light and the gentle warmth of nativity scenes, the whole region comes together to celebrate the beauty ofsharing. Step into the magic of Christmas, where emotions are rooted in stone, in the heart and in memory…

 A Christmas full of emotions and traditions

Vaison Ventoux Provence Tourist Office is launching ‘L’Âme de Noël’ this year, an event entirely dedicated to the traditions of the ‘Calendal’ festival.

Local santon makers, a Provençal storyteller and local partners are joining forces to bring the magic of Christmas to life at the heart of the Tourist Office. The event is designed as a tribute to traditional craftsmanship, shared emotions andProvençal identity.

Under the skies of Vaison Ventoux Provence, Christmas is celebrated as a festival of togetherness: illuminated villages, stories passed down through the generations, and rediscovered traditional crafts. ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ invites the public to rediscover these authentic sensations by exploring three main highlights: a nativity scene created by santon makers, two storytelling sessions and a competition open to all.

The nativity scene makers’ workshop

 An art, an emotion, a legacy

At the heart of the Tourist Office Vaison Ventoux Provence, the Provençal nativity scene unfolds as a living work of art. Local santon-makers come together for a joint exhibition showcasing their craftsmanship. Each santon, patiently crafted, tells a fragment of a story: the shepherd, the ravi, the olive picker, the miller… Set amongst hills and small stone farmhouses, a whole landscape of our beloved Provence is (re)born before your very eyes.

This nativity scene is much more than a tradition: it is an act of remembrance, a tribute to our land and to those who bring it to life. Come and discover it, contemplate it, and perhaps recognise a familiar face or a childhood memory.

From 28 November 2026 to 2 February 2027.

Free admission Monday to Saturday from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm. (Closed on 10 and 25 December and 1 January).

The Competition

 It's up to you!

Because Christmas is also about the joy of taking part and letting your imagination run wild, the Tourist Office invites you to try your luck in its “The Spirit of Christmas” competition, running from 24 November 2025 to 6 January 2026.

Pop into the Tourist Office Vaison Ventoux Provence, fill in your paper entry form and test your knowledge of Provençal traditions. A special mini-game for young people is also on offer for children, so the whole family can share in the magic.

  • There are4 lovely prizes to be won! Just what you need to carry the magic home with you!
  • Two prize draws will mark this wonderful period (one on each date):
    17 December and 12 January 2026.
    Winners will be contacted by telephone and can collect their prize directly from the Tourist Office.
  • Entry is free and there is no obligation to purchase.
    The terms and conditions are available at the Tourist Office reception Vaison Ventoux Provence.

Christmas Stories

 Stories to listen to, to dream about, to share

When words take over from the lights, the magic of Christmas becomes a fairy tale. Mélanie Bienfait’s voice transports you to a gentle, poetic world: that of Christmas in Provence, where the santons come to life, desserts take centre stage and traditions are passed down.

These stories, to be enjoyed as a family, are an invitation to slow down, to marvel, and to reconnect with what brings us together. Because here, Christmas isn’t just something to be told about… it’s something to be celebrated together.

“A Time for Treats”: Wednesday 30 December at 2.30 pm

Venue: Tourist Office Vaison Ventoux Provence. Entry: €5 per person. Bookings at the Tourist Office.

Meetings with the santon makers

 Expertise to be shared

There are two events on offer featuring local santon makers!

Come and meet the local santon makers who keep this wonderful Provençal tradition alive. It’s a chance tochat with these passionate craftspeople, discover the secrets behind the making of their little figures and scenery… and learn more about a craft that has been passed down from generation to generation. A lovely moment of sharing at the heart of the world of santons!

You’ll also be able to admire the meticulous details of their creations up close and discover all the poetry hidden behind these little scenes of Provençal life.

  • On Saturdays 5 and 19 December, from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm.
  • Venue: Tourist Office Vaison Ventoux Provence.
  • Free entry.

The partners of The Spirit of Christmas

Bonillo Rotated workshop
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Bonillo Rotated workshop

Bonillo Workshop

Hubert creates monuments and fountains inspired by the heritage of the Vaucluse. True to Provençal heritage, his works reflect his passion for old stone and invite the viewer on a sensory journey through earth, light and memory… His work, with its warm colours, stirs the memory and the heart.

“I began making nativity scene monuments in 1995 when I arrived in Pernes-les-Fontaines, recreating the village’s fountains, and this story has now been unfolding for over twenty years.”

Hubert Bonillo
Les3souquetsmainsculture@d.voeux
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Les3souquetsmainsculture@d.voeux

The 3 Souquets

Deeply attached to Provençal traditions, Denis discovered the art of santon-making thanks to a Christmas present. Trained by Robert Canut, a master santon-maker, he created his first santon in the likeness of his grandfather. At the foot of Séguret, Denis hand-models his clay santons, drawing inspiration from the people he meets to bring Provençal santons to life.

“Provençal traditions are passed down from generation to generation in my family, and we take part, for example, in the famous live nativity scene ‘Li Bergie’ in Séguret. I take great pleasure in creating all these little figures: from the inspiration and the colours, through to making the mould and firing the clay… My workshop and my life are steeped in Provence, from santons to olives.”

Denis Voeux
Merefille 1
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Merefille 1

La Farandole

Immerse yourself in the Provençal way of life! La Farandole, a cosy boutique in Vaison-la-Romaine where every item tells a story. For lovers of Provence: santons, fragrances, authentic treasures… all come together to take you on a gentle journey. Traditions that bring meaning and colour to your celebrations!

‘What joy I felt as a child when I accompanied my mum to the heart of the santon-makers’ workshops in Marseille, Aubagne or Aix-en-Provence! Fond memories of the scent of clay, the rows of these little figures, and the dexterity of the ladies who brought them to life by applying multiple colours with a tiny brush. Today, I am delighted (just like the santon) to carry on this Provençal tradition through my craft and to help spread its appeal.”

Camille Leydier
Veronique Dornier Credit Photo Lenny Vidal 46
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Veronique Dornier Credit Photo Lenny Vidal 46

The Blue Santons

With a passion for santons, Véronique creates contemporary and original santons. Based in the charming village of Brantes, her pieces are carefully crafted by hand. The shop features three collections: the blue collection, the multicoloured collection and a earthenware collection.

“After studying at the School of Fine Arts in Avignon, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do for a living… It was whilst looking for a present for my grandmother that I discovered the famous santons fair in Marseille, on the Canebière! With eyes full of wonder, I said, ‘This must be such a joyful profession – that’s what I want to do!’ And it’s been nearly forty years now…”

Véronique Dornier
Mélanie
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2023 01 05 Dv Portrait Equipe Bd 48

No Fuss

“Every year I make a whole host of nativity scenes, ranging from large wax figurines for churches to miniature nativity scenes that fit inside a doll’s wardrobe, and I’m also delighted to be part of the team that sets up the exhibition on Christmas traditions at the church in the medieval town of Vaison-la-Romaine during the Christmas holidays.”

Mélanie Bienfait

To continue magic…

To continue this magical interlude, let us guide you towards more moments to share, filled with traditions, culinary delights and enchantment. More lights, more encounters and more emotions await you in Vaison Ventoux Provence : Vaison-la-Romaine and the surrounding hamlets, guardians of Provençal traditions, welcome you to experience an authentic Christmas, filled with craftsmanship, togetherness and wonder.

Stay in Vaison Ventoux Provence