Christmas 2020: open Saturdays and Sundays, 14:00–17:00, from 28 November to 31 January. During the school holidays, open 14:00–17:00, except 25 December and 1 January.
Les Valayans is a hamlet in the commune of Pernes-les-Fontaines. Its Christmas nativity scene occupies 25 m² in the choir of Notre-Dame-de-l'Immaculée-Conception church. Arranged on several levels, it is rich in detail and includes moving elements. The oldest santons are parish-owned wax figures; others were donated.
The nativity scene fits perfectly into a beautiful setting. Built in the third quarter of the 19th century under Napoleon III, Notre-Dame church in Les Valayans looks unremarkable at first. Its modest exterior gives little hint of the striking beauty inside: walls and ceilings covered with richly coloured frescoes. Avignon artist Charles Barbantan was commissioned to decorate the new church by the villagers, who had funded its construction. He also painted the frescoes in Saint-Michel de Frigolet church. The painted decoration at Les Valayans is remarkable; the church has been listed as a historic monument since 2014.
Photographs of the Christmas nativity scene in Notre-Dame church, Les Valayans: slideshow
Frescoes in Notre-Dame church, Les Valayans
Christmas nativity scene in Notre-Dame church, Les Valayans
Christmas nativity scene in Notre-Dame church, Les Valayans
Christmas nativity scene in Notre-Dame church, Les Valayans
Christmas nativity scene in Notre-Dame church, Les Valayans
Christmas nativity scene in Notre-Dame church, Les Valayans
Christmas nativity scene in Notre-Dame church, Les Valayans
Christmas nativity scene in Notre-Dame church, Les Valayans
Notre-Dame-de-l'Immaculée-Conception church in Les Valayans
Frescoes in Notre-Dame church, Les Valayans
Getting to Les Valayans
Location of Les Valayans: see the map below.