Virginie in Provence enjoying almond tree blossoms in Provence at the end of winter Have you ever been to Provence? If so, do you enjoy Provençal vegetation? I absolutely love it! There are so many different trees and plants here, such as pine trees, mimosa, almond trees, lavender, and rosemary. Today, I’d like to tell you about almond trees. Almond trees are known for their delicate blossoms and their fruit: almonds. In Provence, they are also loved for their spectacular flo

Candlemas in Provence: traditions, crêpes and shared moments Like many families in Provence and across France, we celebrate La Chandeleur . It is an excellent (and official) excuse to eat crêpes. Where does La Chandeleur come from? On Monday, February 2nd, it will be time to make crêpes. Young and old alike know La Chandeleur, also known as Candlemas . But do you really know its origins?   Two stories about its origin Candlemas, an ancient celebration linked to light and popu

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

Christmas log cake in Provence, a traditional holiday dessert The Christmas log cake is traditionally enjoyed on December 24th, during Christmas Eve dinner. This dessert is believed to have appeared around 1870, and several pastry chefs claim its origin. It seems, however, that many of them had the same idea at the same time: creating a rolled cake that resembles a log. Before the Christmas log cake existed, holiday desserts were often very rich and dense, such as mince pies

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

Fireworks above a French city lit up for New Year’s Eve Hello everyone! Today, I’d like to talk to you about New Year’s Eve — because it’s always a big celebration for us, both for kids and adults. Every year, we get together with friends who live nearby. We prepare a big dinner, open some bubbles, and of course, at midnight sharp, we wish each other a happy new year! When we were younger, we used to go out dancing until sunrise… That’s less and less the case now. These days,

My family gathered to celebrate the Christmas spirit For us, the Aix-en-Provence Christmas Market has become a true family tradition. Every December, we go there, usually all together. Since we celebrate Christmas at home, this outing is our little festive escape before or after the preparations. 📅 In 2025, the Aix-en-Provence Christmas Market will take place from November 11 to January 12 on the Cours Mirabeau. It’s not a huge market, but that’s exactly what I like. It’s hu

In Provence, Christmas is a celebration where old traditions meet family warmth. From Sainte-Barbe to the thirteen desserts, Virginie shares her rituals and memories of an authentic, delicious, and heartwarming French Christmas

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

Meditation by the sea — yoga and serenity in Provence Hello everyone, My name is Virginie. I have been teaching yoga for children for five years, and since 2024, I’ve also been a certified yoga teacher for adults, after three years of training and a 15-day internship in India. Today, I’d like to share with you my favorite yoga poses and breathing exercises for winter — the ones we’ll practice together during your immersion stay in Provence. Even if you’re new to yoga, this ar

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

Photography of the café Les Deux Garçons in Aix en Provence - @Flickr on Pinterest The Café les Deux Garçons is an iconic place in Aix-en-Provence. People from Aix call it "Les 2G". It was created in 1792 and over time became a gathering place for artists, intellectuals, and celebrities from around the world. This Provencal institution has been frequented by personalities such as Paul Cézanne, Émile Zola, Pablo Picasso, and Albert Camus. With its historical charm and timeless

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 In Provence ready for sales. Bonjour à toutes et tous ! My name is Virginie, I’m a French teacher for foreign learners, and today I’d like to talk to you about a global phenomenon: Black Friday . To be honest, I’m not really a fan of shopping. 😄 I love accompanying my students when they discover Provençal markets, small local shops, or the lively city centers of Aix and Marseille…But for me, it’s a different story. Shopping in a crowd just isn’t my thing.I prefer o

Virginie in Provence and her family — a warm and welcoming home for French immersion students Hello! My name is Virginie, and I’m a French teacher for foreigners. Every year, I welcome students from all over the world for French immersion stays in Provence. Most of my students come from the United States, and it’s thanks to them that I discovered Thanksgiving several years ago. I immediately loved the story behind this celebration — its human spirit, its message of gratitude,

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

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie Hello. My name is Nina. I am Australian. I come from a small village near Sydney and I am delighted today to be able to share with you my excursion to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie with Virginie. An immersion course in Provence at Virginie’s house for a week in autumn was a carefully considered choice in order to take advantage of the mild weather that Provence still offers during this period, but also to avoid the tourist flow of July and August. My story wi

Kathleen and Georges came to our home immersion in November 2019. Doing an immersion was a dream for Kathleen. At the start of her stay, she told me that she wanted to visit Renoir's house. We therefore put everything in place to make this possible. That’s why today Kathleen can share her adventure with us. Picture of Auguste Renoir We went to Renoir's house in Cros de Cagnes one day in November with our teacher Virginie. Unfortunately the museum was only open 2 hours in the

Provencal olives oil   I always strive to introduce you to local products during your immersion in Provence. I am convinced that Provencal cuisine is one of the best cuisines in the world because it abounds with fresh products. Among these iconic products are, among many others, Provencal herbs, Menton lemons, and olives. Today, I want to talk to you about olives. I want to share their history and their uses with you. In this regard, you can find an article on olive harvestin