Just 30 minutes from Marseille, a life-sized nativity scene magically sets up in the Notre-Dame-de-Pitié Chapel, bringing joy to the people of Marseille.
A life-sized nativity scene
Traditionally, nativity figurines are small figures with very specific sizes: the tiny "santon" is about 1 to 3 cm high, the traditional santon is roughly the height of a thumb, and the large santon can reach 18 to 20 cm. However, in Marignane, since 1968, at the chapel Notre-Dame-De Pitié, on the Notre-Dame Hill overlooking the city and the Berre pond, the figurines stand at an impressive 1.60 meters! These mannequins are dressed in traditional clothing by volunteers from the "Les Amis de Marignane et de la Provence" association, with help from the municipal technical services.
In total, there are about ten paintings depicting rural life in Marignane and Provence, and around fifty life-sized characters and animals. More than 400 m2 of space protect them in a beautiful setting (both inside and outside under a tent).
This beautifully represents the pastoral life in Provence with lively scenes: the Holy Family surrounded by blind Claude and his son Tonin, Zézette, the tambourinaire's cousin, the incorrigible pistachier, carder Honorine, the miller, the fisherman from Bolmon, the fishmonger, the whetstone... and many more! It's a wonderful moment to share with family or friends, ready to discover starting from its opening on December 21, 2024.
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Life-Size Nativity Scene
Notre-Dame-de-Pitié Chapel - Marignane
From December 21 to January 12, 2025
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