Christmas in Provence
Let yourself be carried away by the magic of Christmas in Provence and enjoy a unique experience with a host of festivities and events!
According to tradition, the Christmas festivities in Provence really begin on 4 December, Saint Barbara’s Day, and end on 2 February, Candlemas Day.
Le Var invites you to discover its traditions, its original Christmas markets, its local producers and its famous santons…!
Provençal tradition
Visit the santon fairs, attend the Pastorales and listen to the Christmas carols in the little churches lost in the countryside, concoct delicious Christmas recipes, taste the 13 desserts and offer them to your guests... come and experience Christmas in Provence!
Christmas markets at wineries
An original place to shop and buy wine for the festive season
Meet a host of producers and designers from the Var region at original and magical Christmas markets at estates, châteaux and cooperative wine cellars that are members of the Route des Vins de Provence .
Favour short circuits
Snailsare very popular at Christmas and New Year's Eve, and are a real treat for the taste buds! Opt for local products with Escargots de la Dominette in Le Pradet, a passionate producer who raises, processes and markets his snails.
Looking for shellfish?Treat yourself to oysters with a unique Mediterranean flavour from Coquillages Giol, a producer in Tamaris (La Seyne-sur-Mer). These quality oysters have won several awards (Silver Medal in 2017 and 2018, Gold Medal in 2019).
Another product of the Var region, the truffle is an exceptional ingredient that enhances festive meals. You can find this black diamond at the truffle market in Aups every Thursday from late November to March, and you can also taste them at the Domaine de Majastre in Bauduen, where you can eat at the farm.
The perfect accompaniment to your festive meals, chestnuts can be enjoyed in all their forms, including desserts: chestnut cream, marrons glacés, etc. Take a diversion to the chestnut capital, Collobrières, and discover La Châtaigne Joyeuse, an organic chestnut grove, and La Confiserie Azuréenne, awarded the highest distinction in the profession: the title of Master Craftsman.
Add a gourmet touch to your festive meals with honey from Ruchers des Maures in Les Mayons, winner of 61 medals in 26 years! Meet Jean-Philippe from Miellerie Mandard in Draguignan, or Christophe Benvenuto in Ampus, and enjoy a tasting and sale of their wide range of honeys.
You'll also find a wide range of products made from bees in the Rucher de l'Estérelshop .
Figsgo particularly well with foie gras, and are also on the list of 13 Christmas desserts, along with dried fruit and nuts. Let yourself be tempted by the Solliès PDO figs, biscuits and jams from the Castel de Fies estate in Solliès-Pont, where you can buy 100% organically-farmed products processed directly on site.
Finally, Christmasnougats and biscuits are a must-have for the festive season. Treat yourself to these sweet treats from Confiserie Fouque in Signes, Maison Jonquier in Ollioules or Le Petit Biscuitier in Toulon!
Our suggestions
Santons of Provence
Emblems of Provence, santons are the soul of the nativity scene.
Every year, we wait impatiently to take them out of the boxes and create our own little nativity scene. Every year, enthusiasts expand the little Provencal village with a new creation, a little house, the wash-house, the mill or even the baker's oven. Who doesn't have a favourite santon? Every Provençal santon has its own little notoriety: the angel Boufaréu, the shepherd, the tambourine-player, but the most endearing and most emblematic is certainly lou ravi with his arms in the air! It's even been turned into a friendly expression to describe someone who's a bit naïve and cheerful: "it looks like lou ravi from the cot"!
So don't hesitate to buy your own little santon from one of the santon makers in the Var!
Find out more about santons de Provence and santonniers du Var
See our Christmas selection
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