Our must-have list of santon figurines | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourism

1 – Foodie santons

The brousse seller, the pizza chef, the farm hand (and the candyfloss seller!)

Generous and gourmet, Provence’s santons love tempting us with some southern specialities. For example, the Brousse du Rove seller (made by santon makers Volpes, Fouque and Carbonel) carries delicious goat’s cheese in her hamper, ready to sell them at the market. Then there’s the pizza chef or “pizzaïolo” (by Denizou) because, of course, pizzas first arrived in France via Marseille! In addition to the traditional baker, grocer and garlic seller, worthy ambassadors of the culinary delights of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, you’ll also find the farm hand Pistachié (also called Bartoumieu). According to tradition, he offers two baskets overflowing with salt cod, sausage, “fougasse” bread and olive oil brioche, or “pompe à huile”, to the Baby Jesus. Last but not least, we can’t pretend the candyfloss seller (by Denizou) is Provencal but who cares – we love her anyway!

Santons Passion Patrick Volpes

Santons Denizou

Les Ateliers Marcel Carbonel

2 – Prophetic santons

Nostradamus

With his wizard’s costume, white beard and book of prophecies tucked under his arm, he is pretty impressive! Born in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in the 16th century and deceased just a few kilometres down the road in Salon-de-Provence after having travelled the world, Nostradamus (by Fouque, Arterra) obviously has pride of place among Provence’s santon figurines. Especially as he had more than one string to his bow: an apothecary, he was also the author of the recipe for candied fruit featured in his Treatise on Cosmetics and Preserves, and an astrologer. Some claim that his prophecies have all come true. So, will adopting a Nostradamus santon help you guess what’s inside the parcels under the tree before Christmas Day? Frankly we doubt it, but at least your crib scene will stand out from the crowd.

Santons Fouque

Atelier Arterra

The Santons of Provence

3 – Kid-friendly santons

Father Christmas

“Where is Father Christmas?” Yes, dear parents, that’s the question you’ll have to answer at least ten times between now and Christmas Eve. Of course, you could proffer a classic answer such as “at the North Pole”, “making presents with his elves”, or “No idea, I don’t know him personally”. Alternatively, you could opt for a different angle that won’t detract from the magic of Christmas – quite the opposite in fact. “Father Christmas? (by Escoffier, Fouque or Gonzague) Look, he’s in the crib scene next to the donkey, the ox and the watchman. He sent us this little figurine to remind you that he thinks of you every day.”

Santons Escoffier

Santons Gonzague

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4 – Embarrassing santons

Lou Cagaïre

In Provencal dialect “the pooper”. Depicted in a somewhat unflattering pose, Lou Cagaïre (Le Moulin à Huile, Santons Richard or Santons Gilli) is “inspired by the Catalonian crib scene”, explains master santon maker Gilli, adding, “He should be placed somewhere where he’s hard to see, but not completely hidden. Behind a tree, a wall, a construction, but always slightly visible.” Yes we concur, not everyone loves this particular santon. Some find him very funny, while others find him embarrassing and tasteless. Whatever the case, Lou Cagaïre promises to be a good Christmas conversation-starter. For or against the pooping santon? The debate is on.

Le Moulin à Huile

Santons Richard

Santons Gilli

5 – Controversial santons

Didier Raoult and the village idiot (“le ravi”)

Among the list of controversial santons, you’ll even find Marseille-born Professor Didier Raoult (by Di Landro), who promoted the use of hydroxychloroquine to fight against covid and was subsequently struck off for two years. But that’s not all. Ever heard of the French expression “the village idiot of the crib scene”? It refers to someone very enthusiastic – sometimes a little overly so. Just have a look at the santon in question and you’ll soon see why. Depicted with his arms spread wide, “le ravi” (lou ravi) and his female counterpart “la ravie” (you can buy them from any santon maker) are, in short, the village idiots. Some people love them – they’re so uplifting! But others hate them and, given half a chance, would be happy to wipe the smile off their faces. Not on our watch!

Santons d'Art de Provence- Maryse Di Landro

Museum of Santon Maryse Di Landro

Marcel Pagnol's Little World

Non-exhaustive list of Provencal santons:

Nativity santons: the Virgin Mary, Joseph, the donkey, the ox, Baby Jesus, the Three Kings
Rural santons: the angel Boufaréou (or Boufaréu), the blind man and his son, the Bohemians (boumian & boumiane), the farm hand (lou Pistachié or Bartoumieu), the village idiot (lou ravi), the shepherd (lou pastre), the drummer (lou tambourin), the Arlesian lady, etc.
Village trade santons: the fisherman (lou pescadou), the fishmonger (lou peissouniero), the baker (lou boulangié), etc.