In Les Baux-de-Provence, santons, the White Penitents’ chapel and pastoral traditions accompany Christmas. This feature records an earlier visit and the frescoes of Yves Brayer.
Planning your visit
This feature is not the Christmas 2026 programme. Exhibition venues, flock walks and ceremony times may vary: check with Les Baux-de-Provence tourist office before travelling.
Checked on 4 November 2026. Photographs record an earlier visit.
Christmas traditions in Les Baux
Christmas has a special place in Les Baux-de-Provence. According to family legend, the lords of Les Baux claimed descent from the Magus Balthazar; the star in their coat of arms contributes to this Nativity imagery.
During our visit, a small nativity display with large santons stood in the White Penitents’ chapel. The chapel is also worth discovering for Yves Brayer’s frescoes, painted in 1974, which evoke the shepherds’ Christmas in the Alpilles landscape. The museum devoted to the painter stands opposite.
Santons and shepherds
A flock was then sheltered beneath the rock near the church square. Walks with the sheep through the lanes were among that edition’s events. The Santon Museum at the village entrance also offered a chance to admire old figures, including Neapolitan examples. These places and activities belong to the feature rather than a detailed 2026 programme.
Midnight Mass and the pastrage
Midnight Mass at Saint-Vincent is part of Les Baux’s pastoral tradition. The galoubet pipe and tambourin drum accompany Provençal songs and participants in traditional dress. The pastrage ceremony presents the master shepherd’s offering of a lamb. Check the year’s programme before planning to attend.
Visit Les Baux-de-Provence in another Horizon Provence feature.
Getting to Les Baux-de-Provence: GPS coordinates N 43°44′38″ – E 4°47′43″.