The santons of Provence are small figurines made of clay and hand-painted. They compose the Christmas Nativity Scenes and represent the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Wise Men and the shepherds as well a series of characters (inspired by the inhabitants of a Provençal village and their trades). There is also the donkey and the ox.
The Ecomuseum of the Santon and Traditions of Provence houses a beautiful and vast collection of over 2000 santons of all sizes produced by 95 santon-makers from the start of the 20th century to today, 15 of whom hold the title "Meilleurs Ouvriers de France".
The Ecomuseum of the Santon and Traditions of Provence houses a beautiful and vast collection of over 2000 santons of all sizes produced by 95 santon-makers from the start of the 20th century to today, 15 of whom hold the title "Meilleur Ouvrier de France".
The museum also presents some sixty nativity scenes, animated scenes of the old métiers and scenes of the small villages and traditions of Provence.
Not to be missed: the smallest nativity scene in the world with 39 santons of Provence in a nutshell, literally!
A video demonstrates for visitors the making of these santons.
Ecomusée du Santon - Place de la Colonne - 84800 Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
+33 (0)4 90 20 20 83
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