Musée des Santons des Baux

The Santon Museum contains a large number of items, including exceptional Neapolitan figurines, scenes illustrating Provençal and Les Baux traditions linked to the Nativity and a documentary on the making of santons. The Museum houses a range of collections, including 17th and 18th century Neapolitan figurines, 19th century church santons whose painted papier-maché faces and sulphur glass eyes are the work of the Carmelite Nuns of Avignon and works by the famous santon-makers Carbonnel, Fouque, Jouve, Peyron Campagna, Toussaint, Thérèse Neveu, Louise Berger and Simone Jouglas. The traditional ceremony of shepherds' offering, known as 'Pastrage', is portrayed against the background of Les Baux de Provence, in front of the village church. A traditional Provençal nativity scene and the everyday life of a 19th century family are presented in two large display cases. For children, a range of small, naively-painted and brightly-coloured santons is placed at their level. 'Making a santon means playing at being God the Father and like Him, creating a man from clay'. This wonderful sentence by the historian Marcel Provençal accurately sums up the work of the santon-maker, which is filled with the magic of creation. Open every day, all year round; free entrance.