Véronique Dornier lives and works in Brantes, one of the Vaucluse's loveliest villages. At the time of this report, she had established her santon workshop there around twenty years earlier. Near the Drôme border, the village clings to the hillside facing Mont Ventoux's northern, wilder slopes. Beautiful but rather secluded, it takes time to reach: you must go around Mont Ventoux and follow the narrow Toulourenc valley. The pleasure of arriving in Brantes amply rewards the effort.
As we enter the village, blue signs marked “santons” lead to the pretty little shop where Véronique Dornier displays her work. The figurines line the shelves or form nativity scenes. Her distinctive blue santons have made her name and are easy to recognise at markets and fairs. When they first appeared, twenty years before this report, some traditionalists disapproved. Yet although colour distinguishes Véronique Dornier's work, her santons are by no means all blue.
Their finish is unmistakably fine: graceful poses, fresh expressions and harmonious colours. Véronique often works with shades of a single colour, using a delicate, precise brushstroke. Her pleasure in creating these small clay characters shines through, adding to the enjoyment of looking at them. The shop also displays nativity cabinets made by Jean-Marie Combe, an ornamental craftsman in Novezan (Drôme).
Meet Véronique Dornier in Brantes or at the santon fairs she attends in autumn. Her website below provides further information. The workshop and shop are open from late March to late December. Collectors and santon enthusiasts willingly make the detour to Brantes to visit her.
Véronique Dornier's blue santons — santon maker in Brantes — website: lessantonsbleus.fr — telephone: 04 75 28 01 66
Getting to Brantes — GPS coordinates: N 44°11'39'' – E 5°20'03''