Holiday traditions Christmas Santons
Beatrice CarrotInspireProvencal History & Traditions

Creating Holiday Magic a Provencal Christmas Creche with Adorable Santons

St Francis and the Provencal Creche The traditional French nativity scene that represents the story of the birth of Jesus is essentially a Provençal tradition, but it has a long history that began in Italy. In 1223, in Greccio, St. Francis of Assisi is said to have created the first …

READ MORE  Creating Holiday Magic a Provencal Christmas Creche with Adorable Santons
Ville de Sanary-sur-Mer Noel
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireProvencal History & Traditions

Christmas Traditions in Provence a Festive Guide to the Holidays

In Provence, Christmas is a festive season lasting over two months with many holiday traditions. While there are commercial aspects to the holidays in Provence and the rest of France, many old customs continue today. At this time of year, there is vin chaud, little saints (santons), thirteen desserts, holiday …

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Patrouille de France #Patrouille
InspireProvencal History & TraditionsVirginie Van Der Wees

Discovering French Bastille Day Traditions in Provence

On July 14, 1789, an angry mob stormed the Bastille in Paris, which housed only seven inmates. To an enraged crowd, the medieval structure represented a landmark symbolizing their frustration with the reigning monarchy, a weak economic environment, high taxes and a lack of personal financial control. This milestone event …

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Easter Traditions in France
InspireProvencal History & TraditionsVirginie Van Der Wees

Easter Traditions and Celebrations in France

Easter is a holiday period in France when children have a school break. It is a chance for families to gather over meals and enjoy some downtime while hiding chocolate treats. Below are some traditions and celebrations surrounding the Easter period in France and beyond. I have written the text …

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Christmas Traditions Santons Provence
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireProvencal History & Traditions

For the Christmas Creche in Provence Santons are a Must

As a family, we always had a creche at Christmastime. Saying it was handmade makes it sound like a professional job. However, it was anything but rather the result of a haphazard artistic collaboration between my brother and me. Somehow that creche has stood the test of time, and my …

READ MORE  For the Christmas Creche in Provence Santons are a Must
Christmas Traditions Santons Provence
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireProvencal History & Traditions

Little Santons Play a Big Role in Provence’s Christmas Traditions

In Provence, at Christmastime, there are many holiday traditions, including nativity scenes with Santons (little saints). Santons are little clay figurines depicting the biblical characters – baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the Wisemen. Anyone expecting the “typical” nativity scenario might be surprised by the Provencal version with figures representing the …

READ MORE  Little Santons Play a Big Role in Provence’s Christmas Traditions
Dreaming of Christmas in Provence
Caroline LongstaffeInspireProvencal History & Traditions

Why I’m Dreaming of Christmas in Provence

We departed Lourmarin just as winter had arrived, with Christmas around the corner. The trees were almost bare, only a few remnants of their golden autumn gown still clinging to the branches. Temperatures had fallen, especially when the Mistral blew her cruel, icy breath down the Rhône Valley. There were …

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Christmas Provence 13 Desserts
Christmas & HolidayDessertMaison Mirabeau WinesProvencal RecipesTaste

Christmas in Provence and the 13 Desserts

“Les treize desserts” is an old Christmas tradition in Provence. Thirteen desserts are enjoyed after Christmas Eve dinner, traditionally representing Jesus and his twelve Apostles. Each guest must eat all thirteen desserts to guarantee good luck for the year to come. There must be a minimum of 13 desserts, but …

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Easter Traditions in Provence
Guest PostInspireProvencal History & TraditionsShopping & Gifts

Sweet Treats, Food and Easter Traditions in Provence

The following article on Easter traditions in Provence is an excerpt from Marie Helene, the founder of Remember Provence. Online store Remember Provence sells Provencal-themed housewares, gift items and culinary ingredients to customers worldwide. In 2013, the French company relaunched the website and moved product sales to an entirely Internet-based …

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Making Bûche de Noël
Christmas & HolidayDessertProvencal RecipesTasteVirginie Van Der Wees

Bûche de Noël: A French Christmas Recipe

History of the Bûche de Noël The log is generally eaten on December 24, during the Christmas meal. The cake was born around 1870. Several pastry chefs are fighting over paternity. But it seems they had the idea at the same time for a cake roll that looks like a …

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