The Feast of Sainte Barbe, December 4

Provençal Christmas traditions are rooted in charming local customs and religious rituals.

The season officially kicks off on December 4, the feast day of Sainte Barbe when wheat seeds are planted in shallow saucers which will eventually decorate the dining table on Christmas Eve. The wheat is seen as a harbinger for the harvest of the coming year. If the seeds produce magnificent straight green sprouts by Christmas Eve, it is said that it will be a good year. The local saying is: Quand le blé va bien, tout va bien.

Once the shoots grow, symbolizing a good harvest and prosperity for the new year, they are adorned with yellow and red ribbon and sprigs of myrtle or holly to be decorate the Provencal home at Christmas. Three of the most beautiful saucers are reserved for the Christmas table, while the others are used as a decor for nativity scenes

The wheat is decorates Provencal homes until Epiphany, January 6 when it is planted in the earth.  When we first moved to Provence we were surrounded by field of wheat, .

Where to buy seeds/sprouted wheat

If you’re in Provence, you will probably have already bought your little pack of seeds from the market and planted them to mark the feast of Sainte-Barbe. Hopefully with some warmth and sunshine, they will be ready for Christmas. Otherwise you can buy saucers of wheat in the many Christmas markets in the Luberon: Gordes (Dec 15/16); Joucas (Dec 8/9)'; Robion (Dec 9); Cavaillon (Dec 14/15/16).