The word "santon" means "little saint", and is a provencal word. St Francis of Assisi whose mother was from Provence, organized the first representation of the Nativity with living people 800 years ago. Then, the clay painted santons appeared in the churches.

In France, Revolution closed the churches, and people of Provence, unable to worship in the churches for Christmas made for themselves the SANTONS. They usually are little painted clay figurines, and they represent the people of the villages, and also the ones from the Bible such as Nativity.

The provencal legend says that Jesus was born....in Provence, and then, it is normal for the provencal people to be present in the Nativity scene. And more..., each villager of Provence pretends that Jesus was born in his village. It is the reason why Christmas celebration is so important in Provence.

We guarantee that our santons are made in Provence by real artisans in their workshop. These clay figurines belong to Provence, and we do not want to order them from any other region.
Let us explain you rapidly the different steps of the making of a santon.

 A first sample is sculpted in a block of clay.
Then, the santon maker makes a 2-part mold in plaster, around this first sample. This mold will be used to make all the other santons .
Each santon will be made, using a block of clay, pressed in the 2-part mold. After having been pressed, the clay santon is carefully taken out of the mold, and needs to dry about 2 days. All the little defaults are corrected by hand.
Then, the santons are placed in a kiln to be gradually heated to 1750 °F and stays 12 hours at that temperature.

Then, the kiln gradually cools for another 12 hour period.
Only after that time, it is opened, and the santons will go to the last step...the painting, which is only hand made. For that step, the santon maker is sometimes helped by persons working from home, or art students, especially before the holiday season. This explains the small differences you can find in the decoration of the santons

 A Nativity Scene in Provence is a charming tradition. Its roots go so deep, back in time 800 years ago, and more vivid than ever now.
At a time when we all seek to feel a part of a link, and to transmit our traditions to our children, the provence santon is a wonderful way to provide it.

After all, they represent not only a religious teaching, the happiness of Jesus birth. But they represent also our grand parents, in their dresses and trades some long ago forgotten.

Your great grand mother was a school teacher? Here she is, with her long skirts and shawl over her shoulder. Tell your children to have a closer look at the gardener with his wheelbarrow, at the blacksmith. Working on his anvil. The shepherds with their flocks of sheep, lambs, ewes.

Then, you would have to display your crèche as we name this scene.

First, organize the setting, on a table or a shelf. Gather some greenery, maybe some sand to place on the path of the santons. A crèche in Provencal family is always a display of a large crowd of santons marching towards the barn where Jesus is born.

In Provence, we put the scene on display on December 6th, and dismantle it the day after the Epiphany (January 6th)
Install the crèche first, with Mary, (on the right) Joseph (on the left) The crib with Jesus is sometimes added only on the 24. The ox on the back on the left, the donkey on the back on the right. An angel of course should be around.
Then, most important, a Ravi (meaning the happy one) He is the simpleton, He is the one chosen by the Angel to be the first to know the wonderful news of Jesus birth. He is important because he is the one who goes all around spreading the news. First to the shepherds, then to the other villagers.
Only after the Ravi gave the news to everybody the marching to the crèche can start.
Every villager comes bringing the gift from their trade.

To display this march, you should organize a path with all the santons coming, and also all the animals, flocks of sheep of course and any animal you like cats, dogs etc..

There is a tradition in my family which I used with my children, and I am glad to see that they go on with theirs. When I was little, I was given one lamb, representing me. On December 6, it was placed far from the crèche. And every night, at bed time, my mother or father asked me if I had been a good child all day Of course I suppose I always said yes, if it was true, my lamb went ahead a little bit closer, but if it was not, it reared back a little bit. The game was that my lamb must be at the foot of Jesus' crib on Christmas day, and allowing me to have my presents. And of course, it never failed.
Of course, we did the same with our children.
Many American friends to whom I told this story decided to adopt it, and that pleases me.