DESCENTE DES BERGERS ET MESSE DE MINUIT
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For more than 80 years, Allauch has celebrated Christmas with the descent of the shepherds. Hundreds of volunteers for a solemn moment.
Church bells ring, Mount Rodinaccus lights up, and the angel Gabriel announces to the shepherds the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Immediately, by the light of their torches, they lead their flocks towards the old village to pass on the good news to the inhabitants. To the sound of fifes and tambourines, the hill of Notre Dame du Château comes alive with a live nativity scene. The public throngs to admire the superb procession as it makes its way to the church of Saint-Sébastien. Midnight mass completes the celebration of baby Jesus, whom the figurants honor with their offerings: lambs and local produce are laid at his feet. Allauch has been celebrating Christmas for over 80 years. For two hours, a hundred volunteers dressed in early 19th-century garb, surrounded by 150 sheep, share one of the finest pastoral traditions. The Shepherds' Descent has always attracted large numbers of Allauch residents who come to celebrate Christmas Eve in style. It also attracts many people from Provence, who, despite the distance, like to mingle with the locals to witness this extraordinary event. If you'd like to get the best view of the procession, take a seat at 9pm in the Cour du 11-Novembre: a giant screen in front of the Saint-Sébastien church broadcasts the midnight service. But the enchantment of Christmas also includes entertainment for children as they await Santa's arrival, from 2pm to 5pm on Place Joseph Chevillon
