We’re all used to seeing Nativities decorating our homes, shops, schools, and churches but in Provence, they go one better. Not only do people’s homes have a Nativity but very often, a miniature village to accompany the birth of the baby Jesus as well.
These Nativities (crèches), are full of little clay people (santons), which represent not only the Nativity figures but also, in some cases, the entire village too. Common santons are the baker, policeman, butcher… and of course, the priest.