Discover French Christmas traditions

There are the key traditions in Provence, as in nearly all countries in the World.

First there is Father Christmas, with his white beard and red cape, his sleigh and his reindeer. In his current form, he has taken over from Saint Nicolas, still celebrated today in several European countries as well as in the north and east.

There is also the Christmas Tree, decorated and illuminated, Midnight Mass for practising Catholics, the nativity scene and the renowned family meal.

However, in Provence Christmas would not be complete without santons, small figurines of all the characters in a traditional village … carpenter, baker, shepherd, etc.

To all of this is added a wide variety of culinary traditions, as well as stories and entertainments.
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