Saint Barbe’s Wheat

Since the Wall Family will be spending this Christmas in Eygalieres, it’s our desire to embrace the many Provencal traditions surrounding the “Calendale” or Christmastide season which officially begins today, the 4th of December, Sainte-Barbe day.

On this day, each family plants the Saint Barbe’s Wheat which is sowed in a saucer covered with damp cotton wool. (Small packets of wheat germs are sold in almost all bakery shops and the proceeds go to charity). Tradition says that if the stalks grow straight and green, the coming year will be prosperous. We are hoping that this will be the case! These miniature wheat fields will then be harvested and used in the Christmas Creche (more about our in a following blog.)

So, we are off to plant our wheat! Bonnes fetes or Happy St. Barbara Day to you!


Lucy & Kathleen planting the wheat seeds.


Now the sunshine will make them grow straight & green!