Musée du Santon

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  • Address
    47 rue Neuve Ste-Catherine, 7e
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  • Phone
    04 91 54 26 58
  • Transport
    underground rail: Vieux Port

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Lonely Planet review

One of Provence's most enduring - and endearing - Christmas traditions is santons (from santoùn in Provençal, meaning 'little saint'). These plaster-moulded, kiln-fired nativity figures between 2.5cm and 15cm high were first created by Marseillais artisan Jean-Louis Lagnel (1764-1822). Santonniers (santon makers) still use his method today.

There are 55 santons from the tambourine man to the chestnut seller and the tinsmith. An enchanting private collection of 18th- and 19th-century santons belonging to santonnier Marcel Carbonnel is displayed at the Musée du Santon. Entrance to the adjoining ateliers (workshops), where you can watch the figures being crafted, is also free.