We took a short trip today to our neighbouring medieval village of Seguret to experience a Provençal tradition – the December exhibition of santons.

These santons (Provençal: “santouns,” or “little saints”) are small, detailed, hand-painted terracotta nativity figurines representing various characters from Provençal village, life such as the shepherd, the woodcutter, and the chestnut seller. They are depicted on their way to the Nativity with their humble offerings, and are generally wearing 19th-century dress.

The first clay santons were created by Marseillais artisan Lagnel (1761-1822) during the French Revolution when churches were forcibly closed and their nativity scenes prohibited.

A maker of santons is a santonnier and the creation of santons today remains a family craft, handed down from parents to children.

It was a wonderful way to spend an hour on a Sunday afternoon!