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

Les Deux Garçons café on Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence Les Deux Garçons café is one of the most iconic places in Aix-en-Provence. Located at 53 Cours Mirabeau, right in the heart of the city, it is one of those addresses that every local knows. Here, people often simply call it “Les 2G”. For generations, artists, writers, locals and visitors gathered on its terrace. Paul Cézanne and Émile Zola are among the famous figures associated with its history, along with many artis

With Robin at the Pavillon Vendôme in Aix-en-Provence There are some immersion days that might seem almost ordinary. Breakfast, a little shopping, a visit, lunch on a terrace, a conversation while walking down the street… And yet, these are often the moments when French truly comes alive. That is exactly what happened during this day in Aix-en-Provence with Robin, a student I had already welcomed for a first immersion and who was coming back to stay with us. Welcoming Robin b

Black Friday in France: shop smart or buy less? Every year, at the end of November, Black Friday appears again in shop windows, online and in our inboxes. For a few days, discounts seem to be everywhere, and sometimes they are difficult to escape. I’ll be honest: I’m not a big fan of shopping. I love taking my students to Provençal markets, stepping into small local shops and showing them the shopping streets of Aix-en-Provence or Marseille. But when it comes to doing my own

Virginie and her family in Provence I discovered Thanksgiving thanks to my American students. When I started welcoming people from the United States to learn French in Provence, this celebration naturally became part of the stories they shared, their traditions and sometimes their stays with us. I discovered a tradition that is very important to them, built around a simple idea: getting together, sharing a meal and taking the time to give thanks. And over the years, through t

Marsha and Virginie in Aix-en-Provence during a French immersion Today, I’m 70 years old. Writing those words feels a little strange. Time goes by so quickly, of course. But that morning in Provence, I didn’t really feel like counting the years. I felt more like looking at everything I was still able to experience. At 70, I was in France, far from home. I was learning French. I was discovering Provence. I had dared to try something completely different. And that day, I was go

A painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir Hello, my name is Kathleen. In November 2019, I came to Provence with my husband Georges for a French immersion stay with Virginie. It was a dream for me: staying in France, practising French every day and discovering Provence in a different way. One of the places I absolutely wanted to visit during our stay was the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer. I mentioned it to Virginie, and she organised the excursion for us. It was raining that day,