Virginie and Marcia in Aix-en-Provence, enjoying a Provence immersion experience My name is Marcia. I spent a wonderful week of immersion with Virginie. I would like to share with you an excursion that really left a lasting impression on me. That day, after breakfast and our morning lesson on the conditional tense, we headed to Aix-en-Provence. On the way, we had to stop for petrol, which was not easy at all. The refineries were on strike at the time. After exploring the beau

My family in the vineyards in Rousset We have been living in Rousset since 2020. Rousset is a small Provençal village located at the foot of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire. This peaceful haven offers a stunning natural setting just 15 kilometers from Aix-en-Provence. When you arrive in Rousset for a French immersion in Provence, you will quickly notice that we are literally surrounded by vineyards. Here, I would like to share my favorite vineyard addresses around the Sainte-Vic

Provence as a setting for learning People often imagine a language immersion stay in Provence as a series of intensive classes, forced conversations, and constant efforts to “speak correctly.” In reality, a day in a French immersion program in Provence looks much more like ordinary life — simply lived in French. Here, you wake up, have breakfast, talk about the weather, the children, the plan for the day. You don’t start working on French first thing in the morning.You let i

Lunch with a view over the bay of Menton During my immersion stay with Virginie in Provence, some days are dedicated to practicing French while discovering iconic places in the region. That Thursday, I wanted to surprise her… and invite her to lunch at Mirazur, a three-Michelin-star restaurant voted best restaurant in the world in 2019. We drove to Menton as part of the immersion experience, which allowed us to practice French naturally along the way. We left earlier than usu

Provence is felt before it is told For several years now, I have been welcoming people from all over the world for French immersion stays in Provence. Some come to improve their French, others to slow down their rhythm of life, and others simply to experience something more human, more rooted in everyday life. Often, they arrive with a rather vague idea of what a language immersion stay in Provence really is. And almost always, they leave with much more than they expected. He

Angela and I during our pottery class in Aix-en-Provence My name is Angela. At the beginning of the year, Virginie’s husband gave her a voucher for a pottery wheel class. She invited me to join her… and I gladly accepted. After sharing breakfast, we drove to Aix-en-Provence. We arrived a bit early, which gave us time to stroll around and browse a few shops before heading to the studio. The class starts at 10 a.m. A bright studio and an intimate atmosphere A bright and peacefu

Arriving in France: the beginning of an immersion… and a change of rhythm The first two days of a French immersion are often the most unsettling. Even for people who “already understand French quite well.” Why the first two days are the most destabilizing Jet lag and physical fatigue The body learns too. And sometimes it needs time to recover The body learns too. And sometimes it needs time to recover. First, there is jet lag. That is why I always encourage people to arrive i

David climbing toward the summit under the Provençal sun Hello everyone. My name is David, I am English, and I came to stay with Virginie and her family for a French immersion program in July. As I am sporty, Virginie suggested that we go hiking on the Sainte-Victoire mountain, near Aix-en-Provence. I was very happy when Virginie asked me if I could write a few words about the excursion we did together. It’s a great way to practice my written French! So I’m going to tell you

Morgiou cove, one of the most iconic calanques in southern France Hello, my name is Jhané, and at the end of spring I went on a French immersion stay with a French teacher and her family in order to improve my French. I chose Virginie, near Aix-en-Provence, and I really had a great time. Discovering the Calanques during a French immersion stay When I arrived at Virginie’s place, she suggested several excursions.These guided excursions are part of the immersion stay. As I re

Provençal stuffed vegetables, also known as “petits farcis” Petits farcis are a typically Provençal dish—simple, generous, and found in many families across the region. And for one single dish, there are… hundreds of variations. In reality, almost every family has its own recipe, passed down and adapted from one generation to the next. Today, I’d like to share the version my family loves most. It’s a very simple, vegetarian recipe—healthy, flavorful, and easy to prepare. So,

The Arles Arena Hello, my name is Jeannie, my daughter’s name is Meagan, and we live in North Carolina, in the United States. We spent a wonderful week of immersion in Provence at Virginie’s home. Because my daughter and I are very interested in art and culture, we mentioned this to Virginie. She therefore suggested that we discover Arles, an emblematic city of Provence with an impressive artistic and historical heritage. Arles in Provence: a city between the Rhône, the Camar

A mimosa tree in bloom along a sunny Provençal road. Hello! My name is Marie Catherine, and I live in California.This winter, I decided to come to Provence for a French immersion stay with Virginie in Provence . From our very first email exchanges, the connection felt easy and warm. I’ve loved Provence for a long time, and I wanted to discover it in a different way. I absolutely do not regret my choice. Thanks to Virginie, I not only improved my French, but I also discovered

Mary Katherine on the beach in Menton in the middle of winter Hello, my name is Mary Katherine. This week, I’m on an immersion stay with Virginie in Provence, and we’re visiting several places in the region. In this article, I’d like to tell you about one of our days — or rather two! — during my immersion. Day 1: Menton during my immersion in Provence Arrival in Menton for Mary Katherine and Virginie in Provence Yesterday, Virginie and I went on a road trip along the French R

Winter landscape in Provence Hello everyone! My name is Emily, I’m from Canada, and I had the chance to spend a week on an immersion stay in Provence with Virginie. During this week, I not only improved my French, but I also discovered typical winter activities in the region. Every day was a new opportunity to learn the language while experiencing Provence in a different way. Here are three highlights from my stay in Rousset, near Aix-en-Provence. Immersion in Provence: disco

Provençal village in winter, between stone and light Visiting Provence in winter is, first of all, a guarantee of peace and quiet. No stress when parking, no crowds in monuments. Temperatures are also very pleasant. It is possible to walk around in a T-shirt and enjoy an ice cream on the beach in Cassis in the middle of January. The mild climate, combined with the absence of crowds, allows you to truly feel and experience Provence in a more intimate way. Why visit Provence in

Mary Katherine and Virginie in Provence at the end of a beautiful morning of French immersion in Rousset Hello! My name is Mary Katherine, I’m American, and I’m currently in Provence for a one-month French immersion with Virginie in Provence . I chose January, a quieter time of year — perfect for discovering the region in a different light. I don’t regret my choice at all: it’s easier to talk with local shopkeepers, waiters, and people in town, and to practice French in a rel

Souvenir photo in front of Pavillon Vendôme, a 17th-century gem in Aix Welcoming back a loyal student on immersion This weekend, we had the joy of welcoming back Robin, a loyal student returning for her second French immersion stay in Provence. Her arrival felt a bit like Christmas 🎁: gifts, laughter, hugs… The children were thrilled to see her again, and so were we. 👉 Discover my French immersion stays in Provence Breakfast in Provence: starting the immersion day Gluten-fr

Virginie and I in Aix-en-Provence Feeling Young at 70 Today is a big day for me – I’m 70! My god, how time flies. But you know, I feel more alive than ever. It is a pride for me to have dared this adventure in Provence. Who would have thought, Marsha, at this age, exploring France, learning French, living such a magnificent adventure? In front of the statue of Roi René in Aix-en-Provence A Cinema Evening in Aix-en-Provence Virginie took me to the cinema in Aix. It was a lovel

I’m going to share with you some of the walks and hikes that we usually do as a family in the Montagne Sainte-Victoire. I hope this will inspire you to explore this extraordinary natural area—whether you’re on holiday in Provence or on a French immersion in Provence. Iconic view of Montagne Sainte-Victoire: Cézanne’s muse and a paradise for hiking in Provence Montagne Sainte-Victoire, a symbol of Provence The Montagne Sainte-Victoire is one of the most iconic landscapes in th

Small village alley in Provence This summer, my family and I spent an unforgettable week in Provence. My name is Laura, I am English. With my husband James and our children, Hannah and Ethan, we decided to learn French while enjoying the holidays. Virginie welcomed us and showed us Provence.  It was a great experience, with family moments and new discoveries. Here are three places that we particularly liked and which are perfect for families looking for discoveries and momen