The colors of spring in Provence, between lavender and golden light Hello! My name is Oliver, and I had the chance to spend an incredible spring in Provence. For one week, I stayed with Virginie, who helped me improve my French while introducing me to the wonders of the region. Thanks to this immersion, I learned new words every day and experienced unforgettable moments. Here are three spring activities that I especially enjoyed around Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and Rousset.

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

Virginie in Provence enjoying calissons Hello! My name is Virginie, and I am a French immersion teacher living near Aix-en-Provence. Today, I decided to try something completely new: making an iconic Provençal sweet… the calisson. After searching through several recipes and reading a few tips, I thought to myself: let’s go for it. So here is my experience. The legend of the calisson of Aix-en-Provence But first… what exactly is a calisson? Legend has it that in the 15th centu

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 Rotonde Fountain, one of the iconic symbols of Aix-en-Provence My name is Virginie Van Der Wees. I am a French teacher for non-native speakers, and I live near Aix-en-Provence. Every morning, it is a real pleasure to wake up knowing that I live at the foot of Sainte-Victoire mountain, just 25 minutes from Aix-en-Provence. Aix-en-Provence, a daily pleasure Fresh fruit at the Aix-en-Provence market in Provence I particularly enjoy strolling around Aix-en-Provence during the

Nice Carnival Spectacular parades, monumental floats, flower battles, and colorful costumes: the Nice Carnival is one of the most iconic winter events in Provence. Every year, it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors eager to experience a festive tradition deeply rooted in local history and culture. The Nice Carnival, a major event in Provence Nice Carnival 2025 The Nice Carnival is one of the most famous carnivals in the world. Today, it is considered the third largest

Anchovy Pissaladière, a Traditional Provençal Specialty How did it begin? My friend Cécile was born in Malaussène, a small village near Mont Ventoux. She knows Provence inside out and, above all, she is an excellent cook. Whenever I feel like learning how to prepare a new Provençal dish, she gladly opens the doors of her kitchen to me. It was in this spirit of sharing and passing things on that I discovered (or rediscovered) anchovy pissaladière. A bit of history Pissaladière

Mardi Gras Masks in Provence Mardi Gras is a popular and festive celebration, deeply rooted in Provence, often associated with costumes, carnival parades, and indulgent treats. For a long time, I must admit, I personally struggled to understand the difference between Mardi Gras and Candlemas. Crêpes, winter, celebrations… everything seemed to blur together in my mind. And yet, they are two very distinct traditions, with different origins and meanings. In this article, I expla

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

Virginie in Provence enjoying a madeleine A passion for baking, passed down through the family I love cooking, and I especially love baking. At one point in my life, I even considered earning a pastry chef diploma. Since my first pregnancy, my love for cakes has only grown… and today, it’s a passion I share with my children, who love getting involved in the kitchen. Today, I’d like to share with you a recipe for honey and lavender madeleines, inspired by Provence—simple to ma

My children in Éguilles, playing with the water of a Provençal fountain My name is Virginie, and I am a French immersion teacher near Aix-en-Provence. Today, I would like to introduce you to a village that is especially close to our hearts: Éguilles, where we lived as a family for two years. I hope this virtual visit will inspire you to come and practice your French during an immersion stay with me in Provence. Éguilles, a Provençal village with a surprising name Typical al

Virginie in Provence and her husband, a simple and intimate Valentine’s Day moment Like in many countries, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in France, and of course in Provence. Even if Aix-en-Provence ranks “only” eighth among the most romantic cities in France, that doesn’t stop Provençal people — and residents of Aix — from celebrating the holiday of love. Valentine’s Day is a celebration that leaves no one indifferent: it has its followers, its traditions… but also its criti

The Provençal King Cake, also called brioche des Rois , decorated with candied fruits When people talk about galette des Rois in France, many immediately think of the puff pastry galette filled with almond cream, known as frangipane . This is indeed the most common version across the country. In Provence, however, the tradition is a little different. Here, we eat much less puff pastry galette and instead share a Provençal galette, also called brioche des Rois . The Provençal

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