Santon Museum

The museum of “santons” (figures for the Christmas crib) contains a vast number of exhibits including some outstanding figurines made in Naples, scenes illustrating the traditions of Provence and Les Baux linked to the Nativity.

The museum houses several different collections – 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 and figures by famous makers such as Carbonnel, Fouque, Jouve, Peyron Campagna, Toussaint, Thérèse Neveu, Louise Berger, Simone Jouglas etc.

The traditional ceremony of the Shepherds’ Offering, known locally as the “Pastrage”, is staged against the background of Les Baux-de-Provence, in front of the village church.

A traditional Provençal Christmas crib and the everyday life of a 19th-century family are shown in two large windows.

For children, a crowd of small brightly-coloured, naively-painted santons is placed at a height that they can reach.

A very large canvas, painted by Antoine Serra (1908-1995), depicting midnight mass at Les Baux-de-Provence has just been added to these unique collections.

The history of this picture dates back to 24 December 1947 when the artist, who had a studio in the village, took part in the ceremony in Saint-Vincent’s Church.

Open every day all year round

Fees

Entrance free

Practical information

Place Louis Jou
13520 Les Baux-de-Provence

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Tourist Office

Maison du Roy, Rue Porte Mage,
13520 Les Baux-de-Provence
Tél. +33 (0)4 90 54 34 39

tourisme@lesbauxdeprovence.com

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Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 9.30 am to 5.00 pm
Weekends & public holidays: 10.00 am to 5.30 pm
Closure: 25 December and 1 January

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