Foire aux Santons de Marseille

The oldest santons fair in France

The Foire aux Santons de Marseille is a unique event: created in 1803, it is the oldest santons fair in France. Every year, from mid-November to early January, it sets up on the Quai du Port, opposite the Hôtel de Ville, in the heart of the Vieux-Port de Marseille. This emblematic event of Provençal tradition brings together about twenty artisan santon makers who present and sell their creations directly to the public, in a warm and festive atmosphere.

The art of the Provençal santon

The santon (from Provençal santoun, meaning "little saint") is a hand-painted clay figurine representing the characters of the Christmas nativity scene and the traditional professions of Provence. Each santon maker participating in the fair wears a certification badge guaranteeing that their figurines are entirely handmade in Provence, in their own workshop. Visitors can discover santons of all sizes, from small "flea" santons a few centimeters high to large dressed figurines, as well as nativity accessories, decorations, and miniature landscapes.

A solemn inauguration in Provençal tradition

The inauguration of the Foire aux Santons is a solemn moment that perpetuates Provençal traditions. It begins with a mass in Provençal at the Église Saint-Ferréol les Augustins, followed by the opening ceremony with ribbon cutting. Officials and visitors are then invited to a tour of the artisans' stands, accompanied by Provençal folk dances. This inauguration marks the official start of the Christmas festivities in Marseille.

A living heritage in the heart of the Phocaean city

For over two centuries, the Foire aux Santons de Marseille has perpetuated a unique intangible cultural heritage in France. Organized by the Union des Fabricants de Santons de Provence, it forms a living link between the religious tradition of the nativity scene and Provençal art craftsmanship. The fair complements the Christmas Market held simultaneously at the lower end of the Canebière, together forming the heart of Marseille's winter festivities. Its location on the Old Port, near the town hall and the Canebière, makes it a must-visit for Marseillais and tourists during the holiday season.