The Christmas 2007 display featured santons made by Father J. M. Cicculo in 1975–76, from the Palais du Roure collection.
The Palais du Roure in Avignon, a centre of Provençal culture and traditions, hosts a nativity scene in its chapel, celebrating a different santon maker each year. The previous year, 2006, Henri Bayle presented around thirty unique, original pieces.
Jean-Victor Moureau, who created the scenery, welcomes visitors and tells the stories of the characters gathered around the Holy Family: the knife-grinder, Marguerite on her donkey, the miller, the hunter, the shepherd and others.
The expressive, delicate clay figurines are original creations by Henri Bayle, a finalist in the Meilleur Ouvrier de France competition. They are true miniature works of art.
