From the renown outdoor markets to the parades in traditional costumes, many Provence inhabitants are still fiercely attached to their folklore. The Christmas season is of course very festive and traditional: many cities and towns have their own Christmas markets. Christmas markets where we can buy local products such as honey, biscuits, and provencal herbs or hand-made arts and crafts. Religious families are filling their cribs with traditional Santons, the painted clay figurines.
Eating 13 Christmas desserts after the Christmas dinner is a probably the most popular provencal tradition. Not surprising, considering French people's weakness for food ;-)
It was originally a religious tradition as the desserts represent Jesus and his twelve apostles at the Last Supper.
The 13 desserts vary according to the familial traditions but they are usually made up of an assortment of:
* The religious "four beggars" representing the four mendicant monastic orders: the walnuts represent the Augustines, the dried figs symbolize the Franciscan order, and the raisins and the almonds are a reference to the Dominicans and Carmelites, respectively.
* Other dried fruit and nuts: hazelnuts, dates, apricots * Fresh fruit: oranges, clementines, apples, melon
* Calissons d'Aix-en-Provence: a marzipan-like candy made from almond paste and candied melon topped with royal icing * Sweets and biscuits * Pompe à l'huile: the "oil pump" is a sweet brioche made with orange flower water and olive oil * Gibassier: a galette made with fruited olive oil, spiced with anise * Candied fruits: watermelon * Bûche de Noël: the traditional chocolate yule log cake * White or black nougat: made out with sugar, honey and roasted nuts
The 13 desserts of Provence are traditionally eaten before attending midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
Next time you'll come to France during Christmas season, treat yourself and try those 13 provencal desserts!
Please do not hesitate to contact me (at info@inland-travel.com) if you have any question or if you would like to organize a trip there. I will be more than happy to help!
Thank you for reading this :-)
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