Marseille's Traditional Santons

It's an essential element of any self-respecting Provençal christmas -- the Santons nativity scene. At first glance, they're simply small earthenware figurines.

But for the people of Provence, they're more than that : it's a passion that links the past to the future, and a family-run business that is passed from generation to generation. What's more, the Marseille santons have their own unique aspects : next to the relgious symbols you'll find classic figures from Provence of yesteryear : clog-makers, fishermen, and, of course, a bottle of pastis.

We meet the santon-makers and customers atht eh 200 year old market on the Canebiere. They share one thing : a passion for Santons. We also meet a huge Santon fan who shows us his carefully constructed manger-scene.

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News & Politics

Tags:

• marseille
• santons
• manger
• scene
• nativity
• libertypresse
• tradition
• pastis
• religion