Learning French in Provence: my immersion in Aix-en-Provence and the David Hockney exhibition
- virginieinprovence
- Apr 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 30
French in Provence: my immersion in Aix-en-Provence and the David Hockney exhibition
Can you really learn French by visiting a museum in Provence?That’s exactly what I experienced during my stay with Virginie In Provence.
My name is Alexandre, I’m 16 years old, and I live in London. I came to Provence for a few days of French immersion, and this experience turned out to be much more than just a language stay.
From the moment I arrived, Virginie took the time to understand what I enjoy. Since I’m passionate about squash, she organized a session for me. And when she found out that I like art, she suggested a trip to Aix-en-Provence to see an exhibition. That’s how I ended up visiting a David Hockney exhibition at the Musée Granet.
A day in Aix-en-Provence: discovery and immersion
This day in Aix-en-Provence really stayed with me.
I remember Virginie found it funny that I was wearing shorts while she had a coat on…We started by walking around the city, then we tasted a local specialty: calissons.
We then had lunch before heading to the museum to discover the exhibition.
What I really liked is that I was practicing French all the time without even realizing it—while walking, talking, and visiting.
The Musée Granet: a place full of history
The Musée Granet is the main art museum in the city. Virginie explained that it is named after François Marius Granet, a painter and collector from Aix.
The museum was created in 1838 and is located in a former convent. You can immediately feel that it’s a place filled with history—which makes the visit even more interesting.
The David Hockney exhibition: a real discovery
We discovered artworks spanning more than 60 years of creation.
The paintings are very colorful, sometimes influenced by cubism—a style I really like. Some pieces truly stood out to me.
Virginie especially loved the paintings created in Mexico, which she considers real masterpieces. I found it fascinating to see how an artist can evolve over time.
PWhy this exhibition in Provence?
This exhibition traces the entire career of David Hockney.
Aix-en-Provence is an important stop for this exhibition, and it’s no coincidence: the artist has a strong connection with the region. He first discovered Provence in 1978 and returned several times afterward, inspired by the light, landscapes, and colors.
Vocabulary to talk about an exhibition (French / English)
Français | Anglais |
Une visite | a visit |
Une exposition | an exhibition |
Un musée | a museum |
L’art | art |
Un peintre | a painter |
Une toile | a canvas |
Un chef-d’œuvre | a masterpiece |
Un mouvement artistique | an art movement |
Coloré(e) | colorful |
Un paysage | a landscape |
What this immersion really gave me
This stay helped me improve my French… but not only that.
I felt more comfortable speaking, more confident, and above all, I realized that you can learn a language differently: by living experiences, exchanging, and discovering.
I never felt like I was “in class,” and yet I was constantly learning.
That’s what makes the difference.
Read also
Learning French differently in Provence
If you’re looking for a French immersion in Provence, this experience is truly unique.
With Virginie, it’s not just about lessons—you live the language every day through:
meals
activities
interactions
cultural discoveries
It’s a much more natural and enjoyable way to learn.
A word from Virginie in Provence
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Naomi for trusting me with her son.
Alexandre showed great commitment throughout his stay. Arriving in a family you don’t know can be intimidating, but he took part in every moment of daily life with us.
He fully embraced this immersion to improve his French—and he really got involved.
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