Bright garlands of light,  Christmas trees, Festive Shop windows, Expositions of Santons, Welcoming garlands and bows on houses, misty mornings .......... it's Christmas in Provence ....

Looking through my photographs, I couldn't help but put together this photoblog of some of my favorite scenes from the Christmases we  have spent at Maison des Pelerins our vacation home in Sablet. 

If you have ever thought about visiting Provence at Christmas,
I hope these pictures will give you a sense of the fun, festivity and tradition
 that accompanies the Christmas season in small villages and larger towns in Provence.
As an added bonus - at this time of the year, Provence has an atmosphere that is much more serene
than it seems to be during the summer "season".
 


It starts with a very, very early morning view out from the bedroom window of Maison des Pelerins.  
A pre dawn, look at the frosty sleeping vineyards .......... I just love this view and take full advantage of every opportunity to enjoy an early morning cup of tea by this window

Looking at this picture - I can almost smell the bread baking at the Boulangerie in the square below

Master Santonniers from towns and villages throughout Provence come to this very well known
"Expositions des Santons" to display their creativity.


The Christmas Creche plays a very important role in Provencal Christmas decor

As legend has it, Christ was born in Provence, and Santonniers create scenes that show how the village would have looked at the time of his birth.  In addition to the usual figures of the creche, Provencal creches also include characters from the village as can be seen in the display above.  It shows the villagers carrying gifts, on their way to greet the new baby Jesus.










Time to do a little shopping ....... the Christmas windows look so inviting       


Coffee time at this beautifully decorated cafe in the Village of Seguret



A festive book store window in Carpentras


......... in the village of Seguret


Our Village - Sablet - the festive window of a boulangerie with a great display of Three King's Cakes
(Galette des Rois)  

As the day goes on..... streetlights and decorations light up the evening......


Vaison-la-Romaine



Aix-en-Provence cheerful shop windows and street lights add to the festive ambiance 



Aix-en-Provence - a canopy of bright Christmas lights guides you all the way down the Cours Mirabeau which is lined on either side with Christmas Market stalls.




Vaison-la-Romaine - the Place du Montfort - dressed up in lights for the season





Dinner time after all that shopping .... The Chateau Martinet - a restaurant near Sablet -  
decorated and ready  for Christmas and New Year guests




Joyeux Noel!   The dining room at Maison des Pelerins ready for Christmas dinner.

"May your days be merry and bright ........."