Christmas obviously takes place on 24 December, but in Provence, traditions and festivities stretch over almost two months. The ‘calendar festivities’, which begin on 4 December, do not end until 2 February, the day of Candlemas. A holiday in Provence at Christmas is a chance to discover a local culture that goes back hundreds of years, and to experience the joys of its convivial traditions. It’s also the ideal time of year for a family holiday, combining the calm of the great outdoors with the pleasant hustle and bustle of traditional Provençal festivals.
A winter of calendar festivities
In winter in Provence, there are festivities almost every day.
On the 1st Sunday of Advent, calendar time begins. On 4 December, wheat is sown in the traditional ‘seitouns’. From 13 December, Saint Lucia’s Day, Provençal windows are lit with candles and lanterns.
On Christmas Eve, 24 December, the family gets together to prepare the cot. They enjoy a Christmas meal, the Gros Soupa, before attending midnight mass. It’s only when they return home that the presents are opened and the guests share the famous thirteen desserts.
On the menu for 25 December, there’s stuffed turkey! And on the 26th, aïoli (if there’s any left!). On 31 December, New Year’s Eve, we celebrate with family and friends. On 6 January, Epiphany Day, the Three Wise Men are announced in the streets of Provencal villages by tambourines. And surprise! We’re still eating. The kingdom, the real ‘galette de rois’, a crown of brioche with candied fruit. On 2 February, calendar time comes to an end. There’s still plenty to eat, and it’s always sweet, with the Chandeleur pancakes. Finally, the cot is taken down.
Provencal markets, a must for your winter holidays in Provence
It’s hard to spend the festive season in Provence without visiting one of the many typical markets that take place throughout the month of December. The markets in Aix-en-Provence, Salon-de-Provence and Eyguières are among the most popular. The Alpilles at Christmas is ‘the place to be’ in Provence.
You’ll find arts and crafts, sweet and savoury treats, decorations, gift ideas and… the inevitable santons de Provence. Enough to fill every nativity scene in the region!
As well as the material things you can buy here, the illuminations at nightfall, the smell of mulled wine and the gourmet pleasure of eating oysters on the go give these markets a unique flavour, that of Provence in winter.
+ Find out more about the most beautiful Christmas markets in Provence
All the advantages of winter holiday rentals in Provence
When we think of the south, we immediately think of the mild summer weather, swimming, barbecues, pétanque…
And yet, winter has nothing to envy to summer! Although the activities are inevitably different, depending on the weather conditions, booking a holiday rental in Provence for the Christmas holidays has many advantages.
And one of the most convincing of these is undoubtedly the price. Replacing a summer dip in the pool with an evening by the fire will often save you several hundred euros on your rental. Prices are lower in every way than during the high season, and can even be halved. You’ll be able to spend some quality time with your family in houses with typical Provencal charm, and create memories of a different kind, full of Provencal authenticity.
Our ideal rentals for your Christmas holidays in Provence
Our holiday rentals for up to 8 people
Holiday rentals l’Isle-sur-la Sorgue
Our holiday rentals for up to 14 people
Holiday rentals Saint-Remy-de-Provence
Our website Plaisirs et Maisons de Provence will help you organise your stay in Provence, in the Luberon, the Ventoux, the Alpilles and other regions in the south of France. We are an incoming agency in Provence. We offer you a selection of holiday rentals in Provence with swimming pool, to make the most of your stay. Plaisirs et Maisons de Provence also invites you to discover a wide range of themed activities to suit all tastes. In just a few clicks, you can book your holiday rental in Provence and plan your holiday or weekend in the Alpilles, the Luberon, the Bouches-du-Rhône, the Vaucluse…