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Christmas is coming...

100% local gift ideas for the festive season

Give a meaningful gift for the festive season. Make a lasting impression with local creations fashioned from clay, local produce or cultural experiences that reveal all the richness of the Pays d’Aubagne et de l’Étoile. Here, every gift tells a story: the story of the artisans, the Garlaban landscapes and the legacy of Marcel Pagnol.

Published on 20 November 2025

Crafts and clay

Give the gift of a piece of Provençal tradition with a choice of utilitarian or decorative ceramic pieces: stoneware crockery, candle jars, pots and everyday objects crafted by local artisans, perfect for brightening up any interior. You can also make your mark with a santon from one of Aubagne’s many santon makers. Whether you opt for a classic model or a more unusual santon such as Jean-Claude Dusse, an OM supporter or even Marcel Pagnol, you can bring creativity to your Christmas cot.

For a more personal gift, give a piece of jewellery made in Aubagne. Louis Sicard ‘s little cicada necklaces or Terra F using’s fused glass creations offer an elegant, local and lasting touch. You can also offer a unique experience by choosing a Campanacreative kit or a modelling or throwing workshop fromAtelier de Fanny, Et le Gris Devient Bleu or Moulin à Huile, so that your loved ones can create their own piece of clay.

Local gastronomy

Give a taste of local gastronomy with a gourmet gift. Olive oils from Piémont du Garlaban or Domaine la Michelle, local honeys and jams, home-made confectionery such as marrons glacés from Maison Corsiglia, or wines from Château de la Roque Forcade or Vignerons du Garlaban are all perfect in a festive gift box. Make a lasting impression with emblematic Christmas sweets such as pompe à l’huile or pâte de coing, an authentic addition to any gourmet gift.

You can also offer a unique experience by opting for a workshop offered by Maison Ferroni, ideal for discovering or making one of Provence’s emblematic spirits.

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Bar Degustation Maison Ferroni Oti Aubagne
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Experience and culture

Offer a unique experience by inviting your loved ones to discover the area in a different way.

Guided tours in the footsteps of Marcel Pagnol and guided hikes in the Garlaban provide an authentic immersion in the spirit of the land.

You can also offer a cultural outing with a visit to the house where Pagnol was born, a visit to the Petit Monde or a diversion to the Di Landro santon museum.

For the more adventurous, take an electric mountain bike ride through the heart of the Provençal countryside, or take a paragliding baptism and discover the Pays d’Aubagne et de l’Etoile from the air!

Craft decoration

Treat yourself to a piece of art at the Galerie Argilla, a showcase for local expertise featuring the creations of numerous ceramists: vases, sculptures, traditional crafts and unusual works. Take advantage of the santon and ceramic market to visit their temporary shop!

You can also discover colourful ceramic creations, such as the Evocations cicadas in all sizes, or the taraïettes from the Massucco pottery, a modern nod to tradition. You can also mark the occasion with an illustrated poster of the Garlaban or the old town of Aubagne, or opt for handmade Christmas decorations made byAtelier Contat or Meva, ideal for adding a local touch to the tree.

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Your gifts online

Take a look around our online shop, or drop in for a visit! From Pagnol books and comics to card games, mugs, Marseille soaps, magnets, postcards and souvenirs inspired by the region, it’s easy to find a local gift to send anywhere in France. A summary of all the 100% local nuggets you can find here.

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