These clay figurines, the iconic symbols of Provence, as well as the décor they are set in, are all reminiscent of the stories and tales of Alphonse Daudet and Marcel Pagnol. Each santon, based upon characters from these authors' books, is remarkably lifelike. 
The authenticity and minute details of every aspect of the santon exhibition are astounding, from the buildings and houses, to the characters and animals, right down to the smallest accessory and object.

It has taken France's very best santonniers (santon makers) over 8,000 working hours to reproduce the 32 ancient buildings in fine detail (as an example, the 50,000 clay tiles are all handcrafted individually).
Each one of the characters has been reproduced with the greatest talent, and time here seems to have suspended its flight, back in a day when life was lived at a far more leisurely pace…

La Petite Provence du Paradou is a creation by Mike & Marithé Charvin, in collaboration with Autrefois la France (based in 74320 Sevrier) and a number of France's best santonniers.