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The nativity scene in the chapel of Saint-Maclou
THE STORY OF A BIRTH

1 Arielle the laundress and Ouaf the dog – 2 Fournil the baker and Patapon the cat – 3 Coco the egg seller and Sidonie the goose – 4 Jasmin the washerman – 5 Pâturage the shepherd – 6 Rico the rooster, Picorette the hen, and Titi the chick – 7 Pelote and Grosse Maille the sheep – 8 Elliot the dog
9 Bichette the doe – 10 Grand Bois the stag – 11 Marie – 12 Gros Museau the ox – 13 Baby Jesus
14 Nestor the donkey – 15 Joseph – 16 Laurence and Olympe the dog – 17 Glougloute the turkey
18 Léontine the cheesemaker and Rabbit the rabbit – 19 Cochonette and Cochonou the pigs
20 Blanquette the goat – 21 Melchior, 22 Balthazar, and 23 Gaspard The Three Wise Men
24 Glouglou the Dromedary – 25 Pioupiou the Bird – 26 Angelot and 27 Cherubin the Angels
28 The Shepherd’s Star. (click on the image to enlarge it).The nativity scene in the Saint-Maclou chapel sparked a discussion between Mariette Meunier, president of APEPA (Alliance pour le Patrimoine des Églises en Pays d’Auge), and Henri-Jean Lepetit, president of the Association les Amis de la Chapelle de Saint-Maclou.
In September 2022, Mariette asked Henri-Jean if the Friends of the Saint-Maclou Chapel association would like to participate in the Nativity Scene Trail, scheduled for December and organized annually by APEPA.
To respond affirmatively to this request, the Friends of the Saint-Maclou Chapel association decided to create a Christmas nativity scene.
Thus, in December 2023, the north altar of the Saint-Maclou chapel displayed its first-ever nativity scene.
Therefore, in 2024 and 2025, the nativity scene was expanded and now, in its final version, offers a whole world of characters, animals, and decorative elements that make this creation a truly unique model.
Imagined and designed entirely by a few talented members of the association, this nativity scene is undeniably unique, which is what makes it so original and rare.
Among its other distinctive features: each character or animal representation has a name, which provides an opportunity for games.
Thus, every year in December and early January, afternoon visits are organized to come and see this nativity scene, which is definitely not like any other !
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Christmas Nativity Scene 2025

(click on the image to enlarge it) 
Arielle the laundress and Ouaf the dog, Fournil the baker and Patapon the cat, Coco the egg seller and Sidonie the goose, Jasmin the washerman (click on the image to enlarge it) This year, with the arrival of the washerwoman and her dog, the baker and his cat, the egg seller and her goose, the washerman, a large coconut tree, a deer and a doe, a rooster, a hen and her chick, the crèche of the chapel of Saint-Maclou is full.

Rico the rooster, Picorette the hen, Titi the chick, Bichette the doe, Grand Bois the stag, and Blanquette the goat. (Click on the image to enlarge it.)
- Discover its manufacturing secrets by clicking HERE

