French Mediterranean Coast

Making little Saint figurines, called 'santons', and placing them in typical settings was typical for Baux de Provence and surrounding areas. They had quite a few here on display and for sale. Statues were common since the 13th century in Roman churches but when veneration of images/statues was banned in the French revolution and Terror period of the 1700 and 1800s, these tiny statues started to be made in this region instead. This was so people could honour them discretely in their own houses. They became very popular and still are.