Christmas nativity scene in Bonnieux's upper church

Every year since the age of 17, Vincent Gils, an antiques dealer born and bred in Bonnieux, has created and installed the nativity scene in the village's upper church, the venerable Romanesque building at the top of the village.

Starting with a few church santons in poor condition, Vincent has gradually added figurines and made scenery for this Provençal nativity scene, now admired by many delighted visitors.

It takes Vincent nine days, with his father's help, to set up the display in the church chapel. Dry-stone features — vaults, bories and terraced walls — form a beautiful landscape recalling the countryside around Bonnieux, typical of the Luberon and this part of Provence.

The santons are around forty centimetres tall. The collection includes some lacquered 19th-century figures and Neapolitan figurines that Vincent has patiently collected.

The creator is often there to welcome visitors on Saturdays and Sundays in January, ready to answer their questions.

After the Crèche blanche, the Candlemas display on 2 February, Bonnieux's nativity scene is dismantled and packed away until the following year.

Bonnieux tourist office organises a nativity scene festival in the shop windows of the village. It offers a pleasant stroll through the streets of this beautiful Luberon village.

Photographs of Bonnieux's nativity scene (2018): slideshow

See photographs of Bonnieux's nativity scene in 2011.

Getting to Bonnieux: GPS coordinates N 43°49'24'' – E 5°18'29''