With its 250 square meters, it is the only itinerant nativity scene of this magnitude in the world. It represents no less than tons of material, several years of meticulous work to create the models, assemble the decors, and about 300 santons and automatons.
An extraordinary exhibition owed to two passionate santons lovers, Anne and Karl Blanchet, who fulfill the immense desire to recreate a slice of Provence as it comes to us from the books of Pagnol or Giono.
All over France, setting up the nativity scene expresses faith; in Provence, it also expresses faith in its country; it is an opportunity to revive the Provençal memory of the 19th century and to pass on this memory to the younger generations. As Frédéric Mistral so aptly puts it: “When the roots of a tree go deep, it can grow high…”
The exhibition indeed goes far beyond the framework of the Nativity. As soon as you step in, the singing of cicadas immediately immerses you in the atmosphere: a typically southern landscape unfolds, featuring a village created at a 1/6th scale with its square where a fountain stands, its colorful market stalls, its shops, and workshops, most of which have disappeared today… Further along, rural scenes follow one another: a transhumance departure, vineyard work, threshing of wheat… Finally, the Nativity in all its simplicity and grandeur. Mary, magnificent and serene, watches over her child while Joseph welcomes the villagers and the wise men carrying gifts.
The attention to detail is omnipresent; one must linger to contemplate everyday life scene by scene, with the santons “thought out” in the smallest details: facial expressions, bodies weathered by the weight of years, costumes. Do not forget to look inside the lit homes, where traditional Provence is present in its customs…
Besides the vegetation elements, almost the entire decor is made of wood, clay, and plaster. The houses have their facades, and the woodwork is reworked to achieve a natural patina. No less than 10,000 clay tiles have been hand-molded to cover the roofs and are placed one by one at each setup! A true homage to the marvelous world of Provençal santons, which presents, beyond Christmas traditions, an authentic fresco of Provençal life in the 19th century.
300 santons and automatons, 250 square meters, tons of material, several years of meticulous work: THE GREAT NATIVITY OF PROVENCE AND ITS VILLAGE OF SANTONS will surely surprise the visitor. It is not just the traditional meeting with the nativity scene characters but a marvelous pilgrimage to the kingdom of santons on the theme of the “Pastoral”.
In a decor fragrant with thyme and lavender, 300 characters and automatons, dressed in the fashion of 1830, sculpted and clothed by the greatest santon makers of Provence, Simone Jouglas (gold medal), Mamie Martin (gold medal), and Patrick Reboul, revive, from their 30 cm height, the Christmas traditions and rural life activities of the last century. The village, with houses reaching up to 1.5 meters high, required several years of work from its creators, passionate about Provence, Anne and Karl Blanchet. The roofs alone consist of nearly 10,000 clay tiles, all hand-molded one by one. Natural vegetation enhances the impression of reality that emanates from the decor…
A true masterpiece of meticulousness, this great Christmas nativity offers visitors a lovely opportunity to better appreciate, during this time of year, the richness of the traditions of an appealing region, beyond its legendary sun. Unique in Nice!
