Santons are traditional Christmas crib figures. They are made of terracotta, then painted and decorated by hand. In Provence, they're a must. As well as recreating the nativity scene in miniature, the crib depicts a Provencal folk village. Many typical Provençal inhabitants can be seen. All the trades of yesteryear are represented, and characters from the pastoral tradition also play an important role in the crib. Discover some of the key characters of our beautiful region in this article.

The Boufarèu angel


He plays a leading role. He can be recognized by his puffy cheeks and trumpet. The angel Boufarèu is the one who warns the shepherds of the birth of baby Jesus. He then guides them to the stable where the child is with Mary, Joseph, the donkey, the ox and the three Magi. He's also known as the angel blower. Traditionally, he sits above the stable, watching over the baby Jesus and the other figures.

The shepherds

These are also characters from the Bible. They are the first to arrive at the nativity scene. You'll find a wide range of shepherd figures. Some carry a sheep in their arms, while others have hats, capes or even a dog at their feet. One of the most famous is the “coup de mistral” by Maison Fouque. It shows a shepherd heading towards the stable where the baby Jesus is lying, his cape blowing in the wind. He holds on to his hat so as not to lose it. A unique creation by Paul Fouque, it has been a must-have since 1952.

The Pistachié

In fact, he's a farmhand. The, or Lou Pistachié in Provençal, is a traditional Provençal nativity scene character. He's considered a little naive, even foolish. His nickname comes from the pistachio tree, which produces pistachios, considered an aphrodisiac at the time. The pistachio tree has quite a reputation. He's said to be a womanizer, lazy, a drinker and a coward! He earns his place in the crib thanks to his great generosity. He brings a big basket full of food to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus.

The ravi

You've probably heard the old-fashioned expression: the crib kid. It's not very flattering, and usually refers to someone who's a bit of a ninny, or considered the village idiot. The ravi is a character inseparable from the traditional Provencal crib. He's an inhabitant who has no gift for the arrival of the baby Jesus, but who sincerely expresses his joy by raising his arms. He brings good cheer to a Christmas crib, and is even said to bring good luck!

The drummer

As the name suggests, the drummer is a musician. He not only beats a drum, but also carries a galoubet, a kind of long flute. It's often an essential part of the Provencal crib. He can also be nicknamed Guillaume, and leads the farandole. In fact, he's a notable. He's dressed in a fine black velvet jacket, white shirt and vest. The tambourine-player is usually accompanied by several characters who form the farandole.

The Arlésienne

This is a character from the Pastorale. The Arlésienne is usually accompanied by a herdsman riding, traditionally on horseback. She may be young or old, but she's always very elegant and dressed in her Arles costume.

All these characters and more bring the Provencal crib to life. It's an age-old tradition that we're delighted to see again every year at Christmas time.