Christmas Window Shopping in Provence

Dec 4th was St. Barbe's Feast Day which was the beginning of the "Calendales" in Provence.  After the tradition of setting up three saucers of wheat which will grow from now until Christmas, until Christmas Eve most Provencal people will set about Christmas shopping and getting ready for their celebrations with friends and family.

We've taken a tour of Avignon's Christmas Market so now ... let's take a walk through some towns and villages to look at the store windows and "lecher les vitrines" - let's go window shopping at Christmastime in Provence.

  

            Green Christmas trees and snow covered trees spilling out onto the street ..

Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate Christmas trees ... so yummy to eat.

Elegant white and gold Christmas trees with pretty wrapped goodies beneath

This glittering red tree for a merry and bright Pharmacie

 Twinkling Christmas stars lead to a warm place on a cold, winter's night

Santa's workshop ... overflowing with toys of lots of good girls and boys

Santa's Elves make lots of toys to fill all the shelves!

A snowy scene filled with Christmas candy to fill "les petits souliers" ("Christmas shoes" take the place of Christmas stockings).

                       A chocolate fire engine and a fire fighter's helmet - what a treat!

One of Santa's helpers getting ready for a photo shoot .. amongst some great gift ideas

Lots of elegant gifts and decorations for La Maison

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas?

Twinkling lights, tinsel and ladies in traditional Provencal costume dancing the traditional Farandole 

 Holly and Ivy with elegant green and silver bows

.. And for Madame or Mademoiselle .. a stylish new Christmas outfit?

Shoes from the festive Lulu Shoes...

and to accessorize ... tulle and bows, perhaps a scarf or hat

A visit to this Salon de Coiffure ... is sure to put anyone in the Christmas spirit

Don't forget the Optometrist, filled with purple and white balloons 

- must be able to get a good look at all your gifts! 

Santa's waiting in the window of the Real Estate Agency to show you to 

your new home just in time for Christmas!

If driving lessons are on your list, Auto Ecole is just the place to visit

Christmas dessert - the traditional Buche de Noel, beautifully decorated a

nd ready to take home

Christmas Eve approaches ... Santa, his reindeer, polar bears and other friends at the North Pole are on the job making sure he is on time with all deliveries.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, all of France celebrates La Fete des Rois with the traditional Galette des Rois.  Here they are beautifully displayed and complete with crowns for the last celebration of les Calendales (the Christmas Season).

                                                          Happy Window Shopping!

Christmas Markets of Provence Open this Weekend!

For many days now,  in most of the smaller & larger  towns and cities in Provence, 
log cabins have been appearing.  
Artisan sellers have moved in with everything from Regional candies and toys
to hand made quilts, sweaters, hats and santons! 
Everything Christmas is here including a great Christmas ambiance.  What fun! 
If you are travelling in the area at Christmas, with or without children  
– the Christmas Markets of Provence are a must. 

 Christmas Markets of Provence - Avignon - Let's go Shopping!

The towns are decorated with lots of lights, signs wishing, "Joyeuse Fetes" and "Joyeux Noel"  (happy Christmas and happy holidays).
The markets will be open every day and late into the evening, until January 2^nd 2011.

Children’s events and activities, concerts, processions, street performers, warm mulled wine, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, warm roasted chestnuts and spice bread -
all treats that make Christmas shopping  relaxing, fun and a lot less stressful.



 

Avignon Hotel de Ville - City Hall - dressed up in its Christmas finest




 Christmas Markets of Provence - Avignon
- Street Performers add to the festive ambiance




 
Christmas Markets of Provence - Avignon - Carousel in the Place de l'Horloge

Only thirty minutes drive from Sablet, Avignon’s Christmas Market is one of my favorites – held on the beautiful Place de l’Horloge in front of the stately City Hall which is dressed up for the occasion in its Christmas finest.  You can take a leisurely stroll through the fifty something stalls, stop and talk to Père Noel (Santa), ride the magnificent Carousel and enjoy the ambience whilst purchasing goodies for your Christmas feast or souvenirs to bring home.





Christmas Markets of Provence - Avignon - baked goods and candies




Christmas Markets of Provence - Avignon - Artisnal Cheeses






Christmas Markets of Provence - Avignon - Pain d'Epices (Spice Cake)

  You will treated to all kinds for food choices – regional products,  home made jams, jellies and preserves, an unbelievable variety of artisanal cheeses, baked goodies – especially the incredible Pain d’Epices (Spice  Cake), handmade chocolates, several varieties of nougat, preserved meats and saucisson (salami) of all shapes and sizes. 
As you enter the market, the smell of the warm roasted chestnuts can't be missed
 -  and is the favorite “walking around “ food,
although........  all food stall holders are very ready to let you sample
and they love to hear your opinion!




Avignon Christmas Market - Roasted Chestnuts - the aroma draws you to this stand

A number of Santonniers display their figurines (Santons),  which make up the Provencal Christmas Créche.  At Avignon Christmas Market you can stroll down the “Chemin des Crèches” (Nativity Road).  This is a very pleasant and pretty walk through the lighted Nativity
 displays composed of a variety of styles of Santons.




Avignon Christmas Market - Displays of Santons




Avignon Christmas Market - Santonnier





Avignon Christmas Market - "Chemin des Creches "


The Nativity ("Creche"), is an important decortion in Provence, as according to legend, Jesus was born in Provence and each Creche represents the particular village at the time of his birth.  In addition to the usual figurines you would see in a Nativity, Provencal Santonniers carve additional figures of characters you would normally see in the village - the baker, the butcher the grocer, the wood cutter and many others.





Avignon Christmas Market - Pere Noel (Santa)  in his workshop

 Aix-en-Provence Christmas Market

 In Aix-en-Provence the elegant Cours Mirabeau is lined on both sides with log cabin market stalls. The spectacular display of Christmas lights on this beautiful boulevard adds to the festive atmosphere as shopping continues well into the evening

Orange Christmas Market

 

In Orange  .... the Christmas Market features items made by local Artisans

If you've been just wishing to escape the frenzy of Christmas at the Mall
- the Christmas Markets of Provence provide the best antidote.

See you by the Hot Chestnuts stand!