Christmas In Provence

Rich in symbols marked in beliefs and omens the christmas traditions are well anchored in the hearts of the provençal people and christmases in provence have their own particularities.

Christmas in provence. Provençal christmas traditions are rooted in both charming local customs and historical religious rituals. During this festive season called calendale villages throughout provence host christmas markets santons fairs lighting festivals and tours of nativity scenes leading up to le gros souper on christmas eve and les treize desserts following midnight mass. The normal format is the centre of a town is given over to a number of wooden chalets selling all sorts of gifty items as well as food and mulled wine vin chaud the christmas market is also the place to stock up on the figures santons for the provence. As much as 70 80 of france s black truffles come from the vaucluse department in provence.

Saint barbara and saint lucy wheat lentils mistletoe and holly. Candlemas february 2 the christmas season in provence ends with candlemas. Before the midnight mass this meal is served on three white tablecloths of different sizes with three chandeliers and the three wheat saucers. In provence this cake is a brioche type pastry filled with candied fruit and sprinkled with sugar.

My favorite is in aix en provence where the cours. Santons fairs christmas markets concerts and pastorals. Provence keeps some wonderful christmas traditions alive whether founded in christian beliefs or simply heralding regional identity. Nativity scenes santon figurines a gros souper dinner on christmas eve the famous 13 desserts and midnight mass.

Christmas is truffle season and provence is the centre of truffles for france. The person who finds the bean is declared king and the one who finds the santon becomes his subject or servant. Rent a luxury villa the south. Each weekend tiny villages play host to christmas markets near lourmarin these marchés de noël are held in local schools town halls and wineries.

The great supper le gros souper is the name given to the feast which takes place on christmas eve in provence 24 december. Markets and festivals celebrating this delightful earthy lump are found across provence while restaurants will often feature a special truffle menu. Christmas markets have also become a big feature in provence in recent years. They are usually orientated around crafts and gastronomy.

Moments of sharing and reunions with family and friends it is a succession of parties rites and customs that punctuate the days. Here s an overview of the rituals that cast magic over the christmas holiday. Inside the cake are hidden a bean and a santon.