Step into Aubagne's
santon-making tradition
Each piece is shaped from the red clay of Provence, then patiently hand-painted. No mass production. No detail left to chance.
Step into Aubagne's
Handmade in France
Workshop based in Aubagne
Living Heritage Company
The finest French craftsmanship
4.9/5 Customer Reviews
Over 860 happy collectors
Careful Packaging
Maximum protection guaranteed
Three sizes for a nativity scene
that's truly yours
Whether you're starting a nativity scene or adding to an existing collection, our santons come in three complementary sizes.
Santons 5 cm
L’essentiel, tout en finesse
Santons 5 cm
Idéal pour composer une première crèche ou compléter un village provençal. Un format compact, riche en détails, qui permet de multiplier les scènes sans contrainte d’espace.
Santons 7 cm
Le format traditionnel
Santons 7 cm
Le format emblématique des crèches provençales. Un équilibre parfait entre présence visuelle, finesse de sculpture et expressivité des visages.
Santons habillés 30cm
Pièces d’exception
Santons habillés 30cm
Sculptés puis habillés à la main avec des tissus soigneusement sélectionnés. Chaque pièce est unique, destinée aux collectionneurs et aux crèches de caractère.
SELECTION
Coups de cœur de l’atelier
A selection of santons and decorative pieces we particularly love working on in the workshop, guided by the season and inspiration.
What our customers think
Their reviews and photos, shared order after order.
Step through the door
of our workshop
Rediscover the traditional art of santons, reimagined in a modern setting where bright colours, magic and creativity come to life.
Explore our meticulously painted collections along with our decorative pieces: stables, bridges, fountains and lifelike accessories such as trees and lavender.
Let your creativity run free with our paint-your-own Creative Santons and our building kits, perfect for sharing special family moments!
Custom santon
Want a santon that truly looks like you? Stéphane Campana creates your custom 30 cm santon from a single photograph.
Click & Collect
Buy online and pick up your order directly in store, by appointment.
300 Traverse de la Vallée, 13400 Aubagne
Santon-maker's workshop in Aubagne
Hand-painted Provence santons made in Aubagne
Based in Aubagne, we craft our Provence santons the way it has been done here for generations. The red clay is shaped, fired, then coloured with a brush, figure after figure. Nothing comes off a production line, and this work has earned us the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label, which distinguishes France's most exceptional craftspeople.
Whether you're starting a Christmas nativity scene or expanding the one you set up each year, several sizes are available: hand-painted santons in 5 and 7 cm, and the large 30 cm dressed santons, clothed in real fabric. You'll find the Nativity itself, from the Holy Family to the Three Wise Men, as well as the characters that give Provençal villages their charm, from the ravi to the Arlésienne and the tambourine player. To set the scene, our stables, mills, bridges, fountains and washhouses complete the display.
Looking for something truly one of a kind? Stéphane Campana also sculpts custom 30 cm santons from a single photo you send him.
Frequently asked questions about Provence santons
What is a Provence santon?
It’s the little figurine that fills Provençal nativity scenes. It’s shaped from clay, fired, then painted by hand. Born around Aubagne and Marseille, the santon brings together the figures of the Nativity and a whole cast of bygone village life: the ravi, the Arlésienne, the boumian and the tambourine player. Ours are made in our Aubagne workshop.
What's the difference between a clay santon and a dressed santon?
On a clay santon, everything is sculpted and painted in one piece: the clothing, the face, the accessories. The dressed santon refers to our large 30 cm models, clothed in real garments cut and sewn just for them. This finish gives them a more refined look, much prized by collectors. Within the same nativity scene, the two sit together perfectly.
Which santon size should you choose: 5, 7 or 30 cm?
The 7 cm remains the safe bet, the size you see most often in nativity scenes. The 5 cm comes in handy when space is tight or to fine-tune the decor. As for the 30 cm, those are our fabric-dressed dressed santons: a real centrepiece, also available for custom orders. Nothing stops you from mixing sizes.
Which nativity figures and santons do you offer?
You'll find the whole nativity scene with us: the Holy Family, the Three Wise Men, the Boufareu angel, the shepherd and his flock. Added to them are the figures that tell the story of Provençal life of old, from the miller to the fisherman, not forgetting the ravi and the Arlésienne. You can browse all of it in our 7 cm and 5 cm collections.
Do you offer nativity scenery and accessories?
Yes. To set the scene around your figures, we offer stables, farmhouses, mills, bridges, fountains and washhouses, along with natural elements such as trees, olive trees and sprigs of lavender. Everything you need to recreate a whole village around the manger. Take a look at all of our collections.
Are your santons handmade and made in France?
Yes, from the first push into the clay to the final brushstroke. Everything happens in our workshop in Aubagne, in the Bouches-du-Rhône. This commitment earned us the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label, awarded by the French State to exceptional craftsmanship. Since we don’t produce in series, you’ll never come across two perfectly identical pieces.
How do I order a custom santon?
Simply send us a photo. From it, Stéphane Campana sculpts your custom santon in 30 cm. We talk it through together beforehand: the pose, the outfit, the facial features, so the likeness is faithful and the gift hits home.
How much does a custom santon cost?
The price depends on what the piece calls for: its pose, its costume, its accessories and the level of detail expected on the face. Since no two orders are alike, we quote case by case. Tell us about your project and we’ll give you the price along with the time needed to make it.
When do you set up the Christmas nativity scene?
In Provence, you set it up on the first Sunday of Advent, in late November, and leave it in place until Candlemas, on 2 February. It’s also the right time to add new figures to it. Find plenty of ideas for yours.
Where can you buy santons in Aubagne and Provence?
Two options: order on the site, with shipping throughout France and Europe, or step through the door of our workshop-boutique at 300 Traverse de la Vallée, 13400 Aubagne, by appointment. This is where, along with Marseille, the santon-making tradition was born.
Do you offer in-store pickup (Click & Collect)?
Of course. You pay for your order online and collect it at the workshop, by appointment. It’s a chance to see our pieces up close and discover how they come to life in our hands.
What are the delivery times and shipping areas?
We ship throughout France and Europe, with packaging designed so that such delicate pieces travel with complete peace of mind. The timeframe depends on what’s available: a custom creation or a piece that still needs painting work will naturally take a little longer.
How do I care for my santons?
Painted clay doesn’t like knocks or damp. A soft brush or a dry cloth is enough to remove dust, and it’s best to keep them out of direct sunlight. Well stored from one year to the next, they pass down easily from one generation to the next.
