Noël en PROVENCE

is a very important period of the year. A great moment of celebration.

Symbolically rich, charged with excitement and emotion.

This period begins on 4th. december with Sainte Barbe's Day. This is the begining of the "calendale". This periode cotinues to 2nd. february. Between these 2 dates a series of traditions, festivities, rituals and customs are observed, depending on the family , cities or villages.

Ste Barbe wheat

On the 4th december, wheat germ must be planted in 3 saucers covered with damp cotton wool. We buy the packets at the bakery shops and the money go to charity.

If the corn grows straight and green, the begining of the new year will be prosperous....

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The santons, "santoun" (provencal word)

To prepare the Christmas crib, there are numerous santons markets organised throughout the Provence from mid november. Aubagne, where I live is the capital.

The santoun meaning little saint, he is handmade. They take a human aspect with a personalised appearance, character and social statu in the provencal village...

They represent the habitants of the village visiting Christmas crib ; bakers, shepherds...

The traditional crib is in fact an ideal model of provencal village.

This tradition is present in each department of Provence but it's very strong in the Bouches du Rhône, Marseille, Aubagne, Chateau Gombert, Allauch...

My crib at home :

National TV, Allauch's Christmas, near my house:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dxQVl1V0p4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJk9ttVChlw

Christmas markets

Throughout the month of december each town and village has its Christmas market. Gastronomy, arts and crafts, decorations and gifts are here.

Aubagn 's market : vidéo ;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emGfGv4u9tI

The open markets provide the occasion to drink mulled wine with cinnamon. You can find all you need to prepare the traditionnal Christmas.

The great supper

We eat this supper befor to go to the mass.

The table has 3 tableclothes, 3 for the 3 memebers of the trinity, with 3 candelabras and 3 saucers of sproutedwheat germs planted onSt.Barbe's day.

The great supper is made with 7 dishes .

It's served with 13 desserts.

The 13 desserts are eaten after midnight (the 4 mendicant : dry figs, almonds, raisins, hazelnuts - dates - nougat black and white - the fougasse - cheese - oreillettes -fresh fruit).

Best wishes to you, your family and your friends.