Tucson ~ home to traditions of Southern France

I had the pleasure of visiting the Tucson Alliance Francaise for their holiday market and was enchanted with their nativity display. I learned that a typical Provencale creche scene is quite different that the displays most often seen in America. This display of painted terracotta or carved wood santons (little saints) celebrates the entire village - the mayor, the truffle gatherer, the lavender harvester, the baker, the shops, the animals - even the local produce. It is a charming display! After Midnight mass, the baby Jesus is placed into the creche and on January 6 the three kings are placed there to complete the scene.