My Christmas list #1

Saint Barbara's Day

The first cold spells are an invitation to surround ourselves with cosy comforts: hand-crafted terracotta, snuggly fabrics, scented candles and plenty of self-pampering. Long live winter!

Gift ideas

Barbotine

Located in Aubagne, Barbotine handmade pottery is inspired by traditions dating back thousands of years, paying tribute to the colourful swirls of Huveaune valley’s rare jasper stones.
Living Heritage Firm.

Poterie Ravel

Situated in Aubagne town centre, this beautiful building harbours the workshops, warehouses and boutique of one of France’s oldest ceramic factories. Founded in 1837, it has remained the property of the same family for five generations.

Ôkhra

Nestling in the Luberon, the “Conservatoire des Ocres” is dedicated to ochre, a mineral pigment widely used since Antiquity. Opt for a guided tour of the former Roussillon ochre factory for a deep dive in the extraction process, from washing to grinding.

Brun de Vian Tiran

Shawls, throws, scarves and blankets: this brand has been flying the flag of all things soft and snuggly – including Arles merino wool – since 1808. What’s not to love about winter?! You’ll find a fabulous choice of items on site, plus a museum tour.
Living Heritage Firm.

L’Occitane en Provence

Based in Manosque, this famous cosmetics brand is one of the few to open a factory to the public. Their Advent calendar, hiding 24 products behind its doors, is also available in an eco version.

Ciergerie des Prémontrés

A candle magicked into existence before your very eyes! Born in the 15th century, this particular candle making technique, using a
ladle to fill the mould or plunging it directly into a vat of liquid wax, was used by Premonstratensian monks from Saint-Michel-de-Frigolet Abbey in days gone by.
Living Heritage Firm.

Inspiration and know-how

Saint Barbara’s wheat is a great way to add a touch of greenery to your Christmas table! Simply place some damp cotton wool in a cup, or rather three cups if you want to honour the Christian symbol of the Trinity. Sprinkle with a few grains of wheat and lentils. If you dampen them every day, they’ll soon sprout into pretty green plants. N.B. as temperatures have risen, it might be better to put them on a windowsill rather than inside.

If the seeds grow into sturdy shoots, you can be sure the harvest and coming year will be good. On December 24th, the young shoots are wrapped in yellow and red ribbons, and the finest crop is placed on the Christmas table. The following day, it is used to decorate the crib scene, where it thrives until Epiphany in January.

How about making your own terracotta dish for Saint Barbara’s wheat? Our potters, earthenware makers and ceramists will be delighted to welcome you for a course or introductory class. After all, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region is a genuine capital of
clay. And as the Provencal proverb goes: “A pot for the kitchen, a pitcher for water and a basket for the garden are all you need to eat”! Aubagne and the Pays de l’Etoile area, Salernes (Terra Rossa museum) and Vallauris (Ceramics museum) are local hubs of clay working. What’s more, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie has been an ambassador of earthenware since the 17th century. Numerous workshops invite you to admire our potters and ceramists hard at work turning, shaping, moulding, baking, varnishing, enamelling and decorating… Another fabulous gift idea!