Christmas 2019: the Provençal nativity scene was displayed at the Palais du Roure from 3 December 2019 to 11 January 2020, 14:00–18:00, except public holidays. Closed Mondays and Sundays. Free admission.
The santons of the Confrérie des Gardians' Christmas nativity scene travelled to the Palais du Roure in Avignon, the home of Folco de Baroncelli, whose 150th birthday was commemorated in 2019. A friend and follower of the Provençal poet Frédéric Mistral, Baroncelli was devoted to the Camargue. He founded the Nacioun Gardiano, actively supported the Confrérie de Saint-Georges, founded in 1512, and defended Camargue traditions.
Jean-Victor Moureau arranged the santons in a procession towards the Holy Family and created the backdrop. The scene occupied a salon at the Palais du Roure known as the “pièce au plafond”, with a splendid coffered ceiling and an atmosphere well suited to the Camargue figurines. To reach it, visitors passed through the old house's rooms, which also displayed santons from the Palais du Roure's own collection.
For Christmas 2018, the Confrérie des Gardians' nativity scene was displayed in Saint-Julien church in Arles.
Photographs of the Christmas 2019 nativity scene at the Palais du Roure
The Confrérie des Gardians' nativity scene at the Palais du Roure, Avignon — Christmas 2019
The Confrérie des Gardians' nativity scene at the Palais du Roure, Avignon — Christmas 2019
The Confrérie des Gardians' nativity scene at the Palais du Roure, Avignon — Christmas 2019
The Confrérie des Gardians' nativity scene at the Palais du Roure, Avignon — Christmas 2019
The Confrérie des Gardians' nativity scene at the Palais du Roure, Avignon — Christmas 2019
The Confrérie des Gardians' nativity scene at the Palais du Roure, Avignon — Christmas 2019
The Confrérie des Gardians' nativity scene at the Palais du Roure, Avignon — Christmas 2019
The Confrérie des Gardians' nativity scene at the Palais du Roure, Avignon — Christmas 2019
The Confrérie des Gardians' nativity scene at the Palais du Roure, Avignon — Christmas 2019
The Confrérie des Gardians' nativity scene at the Palais du Roure, Avignon — Christmas 2019
The Confrérie des Gardians' nativity scene at the Palais du Roure, Avignon — Christmas 2019