Things to do in Provence: The Santons Museum
The village of Baux is home to many cultural and historical sites that celebrate the heritage of Les Baux-de-Provence. The Musée du Santon or Santons Museum is a fine example of one of those sites and an excellent event that is located within walking distance of the Benvengudo Hotel. This museum, nestled in the winding streets of the Baux village, showcases a vast number of “santon” figurines (figures for the Christmas crib), as well as scenes illustrating the traditions of Provence and Les Baux all linking to the Nativity.
Open daily throughout the year, the museum is home to several different collections including; Neapolitan figurines from the 17th and 18th centuries, 19th century “santons” for churches whose painted papier mâché faces and glass sulphur eyes were made by the Carmelite convent in Avignon. Up to 95 santon maker display their figures here, including famous makers Carbonnel, Fouque, Jouve, Peyron Campagna, Toussaint, Thérèse Neveu, Louise Berger, Simone Jouglas and more.
The Shepard’s Offering
The Shepard’s Offering is a traditional ceremony known locally as the “Pastrage” and is staged against the picturesque backdrop of Les Baux de Provence, in front of the village church. At this ceremony, you will find a traditional Provençal Christmas crib, as well as a recreation of everyday 19th-century family life, which is shown in two large windows. A collection of small brightly-coloured, naively-painted santons is placed at a height for children to reach.
As well as the ceremony, there are 60 crèche scenes, including the old trades, little villages and recreated scenes from Marcel Pagnol’s work representing Provence and its traditions. The smallest crèche in the world consisting of 39 santons is housed in a hollowed nutshell is a Guinness world record. Work by over 100 contemporary santon makers from throughout Provence is also on display. 22 of these makers have won the Gold Medal for “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” or Master Craftsman award.
The Former Guardroom
The building that houses the Santons Museum was built over the old town walls. It was purchased by the Community of Les Baux in 1619 and used successively as a guardroom, school, court and Town Hall from the mid-17th century through to 1960.
The building was partly rebuilt in 1657. Elegant ribbed vaulting was constructed alongside the beautiful Renaissance vaulting that already existed. The basement still contains two dungeons built in the 16th century that were used as prison cells until the French Revolution in 1789.
Benvengudo Hotel is a 4 star luxury boutique hotel located in Les Baux-de-Provence. Set in an authentic Provencal country house, its idyllic location offers a perfect base from which to explore this remarkable region in the South of France.
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