We may be in the starting-blocks just a few days before Christmas, but the fact remains that the school vacation period runs until January 5, and we’re going to have to find some activities to keep the kids busy at home. We’ve got just what you need! Just a stone’s throw from Lyon, come and spend a day in this timeless place which, in many ways, is well worth a visit.
Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez, a village to (re)discover during the festive season
Here’s an original idea for a Christmas getaway. The walls of the Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez chapel will be transformed into a “sound and light” animated Provencal crib, an activity that will delight young and old alike. What’sa “Provençal” crib ? Carried by the santons, these little clay figures from local life, Provencal cribs are a real treasure of our national heritage. Beyond the recreation of village scenes and their ornate decorations, what’s most striking is the attention to detail.
The animated Provencal crib in Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez is no exception to the rule, and will be presented by a santonnier (the craftsman who makes santons). In sound and light format, come and discover the atmosphere of these villages of yesteryear, where the shepherd and his sheep meet the letter carrier, and the greengrocer talks with the baker.
Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez: Lilliputian size, international renown
This village of fewer than 500 inhabitants in the heart of the Pilat Regional Nature Park is a veritable nugget. So much so that our friends across the Channel have included it in their prestigious “must-see” list. Cock-a-doodle-doo! And when you take a closer look at Sainte-Croix, it’s easy to see why. Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez is the only village in France set in the grounds of a monastery!
Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to the charm of its old stones, the tranquility of its surroundings and its natural beauty. When you consider that this haven of peace can be reached in less than an hour from downtown Lyon, you know what you have to do if, one morning, you draw the curtains and see the sun peeking through!