THE SANTONS OF PROVENCE TRADITIONS
When visiting a region like PROVENCE ALPES COTE D'AZUR , renowned for the diversity of its culture and heritage , it is also interesting to meet its artisans specializing in the production of santons,often located in radiant and authentic towns and small cities of character which harmoniously show their know-how and who are happy to present their personalized , made-to-measure products and to welcome you to visit their workshops and typical shops, incorporating the discovery of their often ancestral traditions.
Initiated at the beginning of the 19th century by the Marseilles sculptor JEAN LOUIS LAGNEL,the santons of Provence
are representations of Provençal figures with predominantly religious expressions, taking into account the nativity and
the dramatization of the nativity scene alongside the portrayals of Marseille residents and various professions of the
Provence incorporating clay creations including shaping in a plaster mold followed by the time drying in the sun then
carefully applied paints and tones in the santon maker's workshop, which gave and this place from 1803 onwards the
santon fair thus developed the long tradition of santon markets that nowadays, we find them particularly in Aubagne
Apt in the Luberon, as well as in Aix-en-Provence, and also in Marseille knowing that while maintaining santon with
manufacturing technicals respectful of ancestral traditions,the production processes have since evolved,particularly in the firing of clay.A noble craft par excellence,where skill and meticulousness are patiently applied by the santon maker
who also comptes of creativity in his works , where one finds , for example , scenes from life taken from the novels of
Marcel Pagnol a local boy and great ambassador of Provençal renown with the famous game of manille complemented
by a cheating and enhanced by thethe famous and voluptuous "Fanny" just like admiring animated nativity scenes , in
particular based on 100 m2 surface area presenting a Provençal village interpreted by 650 santons and this know-how
globally recognized, it is based on 120 workshops producing santons, mainly located in the Bouches Du Rhone region
which is a pleasure to visit to meet these talented artists who are the santon makers while observing the meticulous
work of their hands as they shape and adjust "Handmade" products that you they warmly welcome customers in their
shops and boutiques, such as at Atelier De Fanny in Aubagne, thus expressing all conviviality, love of work well done
and respect for traditions which characterize the men and women of the Provence Alpes Cote D'Azur region.
An Environment Conducive to Creativity
The rich heritage of these numerous natural spaces , rooted in a real and authentic history , is so diverse , especially concerning the production of santons,mainly concentrated in 2 to 3 departments and an integral part of the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region, that it is interesting to experience it, particularly in Aubagne a radiant city with typical and
great architecture,complemented by streets and alleyways adorned with brightly colored flowers,located at the foot of the Garlaban massif near Marseille and deeply linked to the history of Provençal figurines of part of its clay resources
which have been exploited since Antiquity and which attract many potters and crafstmen by enabling the development
of quality artisanal activities expressed through ceramic products designed and transformed in the city's workshops
such as tableware and kitchenware, as well as decorative objects and of course the famous and renowned Provençal figurines that we enjoy being around all year round, whether in shops such as that of MANUFACTURE RAVEL a true
institution linked to the history and artisanal productions of the city of Aubagne, or the Les Colombins art workshop as in markets such as the Christmas markets, which are typical and delightful, and also particularly during the European Heritage Days, which take place every year on the 3rdth September weekend with the nativity scene village alongside
other activities and more additional festivities including photo exhibitions and the discovery of the rich and great local
architectural heritage of the city and which make all these artisans and merchants,complemented by public actors, the guardians of traditions of the Provence Alpes D'Azur which can be found in its cities as well as in its radiant towns of character,which also contribute to an great environment conducive to creativity with tourist potential and also cultural
cultural heritage that one never tires of discovering,as there are so many attractive things in these authentic towns and
cities or Culture, lifestyle and traditions are constantly intertwined.
Report by : Gabriel PAGE
Photos credit : Gabriel PAGE / Getty Images
CULTURE AND ART OF LIFE
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