A day in the Luberon during my French immersion in Provence
Hello, my name is Lonnie.
My dream is to speak French fluently and, one day, to come and live in France with my wife for three months. While waiting to make that dream a reality, I chose to do a French immersion with Virginie in Provence.
Some days made me realize just how much you can learn without feeling like you are in a classroom. This day in the Luberon is a perfect example.
We spoke French over breakfast, visited the Château de Lourmarin, shared lunch with some of Virginie’s friends, discovered an artisan chocolate shop, stopped in La Tour-d’Aigues and ended the day by the Étang de la Bonde.
A lot of Provence, in other words. And a lot of French too.
Starting the day speaking French
The day started over breakfast.
During an immersion, conversations are part of the learning experience. So that morning, we simply spoke French around the table. For me, this is important because my goal is to become truly comfortable speaking French.
I would love to speak it fluently and, later on, spend several months in France with my wife.
So I try to take every opportunity to practise. A conversation over breakfast is already one of those opportunities. But that day, we weren’t going to stay at home for long.
We were heading out to discover the Luberon.
Discovering Lourmarin and its château
As we drive, the landscape gradually changes. We travel through a Provence of vineyards, olive trees and rolling hills before arriving in Lourmarin. We take the time to stop in the village and visit its château.
I learned that the Château de Lourmarin is considered the first Renaissance château in Provence. Its oldest section was built in the 15th century on the ruins of a 12th-century fortress, before a Renaissance wing was added from 1526 onwards.
That is also what I enjoy about this immersion: I am not simply discovering new places. I am learning about their history and the vocabulary that goes with them.
And, of course, all of this happens in French.
A lunch that becomes another part of the immersion
After Lourmarin, we continue our journey through the Luberon.
At lunchtime, we meet two of Virginie’s friends, Babeth and Caroline, who work in a local chocolate shop. We have lunch together in a Provençal restaurant.
For me, it is chicken with herbes de Provence, followed by an apple dessert.
But what I also remember about this moment is that the immersion continues around the table.
You meet new people. You listen. You talk. Sometimes you search for the right words.
French doesn’t stay in the classroom: it follows us throughout the day.
And after lunch, Babeth and Caroline have another discovery in store for us.
Stepping inside an artisan chocolate shop in La Tour-d’Aigues
We follow them to their chocolate shop in La Tour-d’Aigues.
They welcome us into their workshop and show us their work and how they make their chocolates.
And, of course, there is some tasting too! Pralines, truffles, dark and milk chocolate bars… I have the chance to taste several of their creations.
I am also given some calissons, a Provençal speciality made with ingredients including almonds and candied fruit. It is a delicious moment, of course, but also another way of discovering Provence.
Behind a product, there are people, craftsmanship and words you might never come across in a French textbook.
Stopping at the Château de La Tour-d’Aigues
We then continue our exploration of La Tour-d’Aigues with its château.
When I visited, I couldn’t go inside because it was being renovated. So we took the time to look at it from the outside, while Virginie told me a little about its history.
After the Château de Lourmarin in the morning, this second stop adds another dimension to the day.
You begin to connect the places, landscapes and history of this part of Provence.
Then we get back on the road for one final stop, which is very different.
Ending the day by the Étang de la Bonde
After all these discoveries, we arrive at the Étang de la Bonde.
The pace changes completely.
We settle down by the water and simply take the time to enjoy the surroundings.
We talk again about the day, the places we have discovered and the moments we enjoyed. We chat and laugh.
I like ending an excursion this way.
There is no real sightseeing anymore.
Just a moment to slow down and talk.
And always in French.
Learning French by experiencing Provence
When I decided to do an immersion in Provence, my goal was of course to improve my French.
But a day like this shows that learning doesn’t stop when the lessons end.
In the morning, we talk over breakfast. Then we discover a village and its history. At lunchtime, we meet new people. In the afternoon, we step inside a chocolate shop and discover local craftsmanship. And at the end of the day, we talk about everything we have experienced.
French is everywhere.
That is probably what I remember most about this experience: here, I learn French by living it.
If you would also like to improve your French while discovering Provence from the inside, an immersion with Virginie brings the two together: lessons and all these opportunities to speak, listen, meet people and discover new things throughout the day.
Vocabulary from the day
French | English |
une immersion | an immersion |
une vigne | a vineyard / vine |
un olivier | an olive tree |
un château | a castle |
une forteresse | a fortress |
une chocolaterie | a chocolate shop / chocolate workshop |
une praline | a praline |
une truffe au chocolat | a chocolate truffle |
un calisson | a calisson |
un savoir-faire | know-how / craftsmanship |
un étang | a pond |
se poser | to take a break / slow down |
Frequently asked questions about French immersion and the Luberon
Can you visit the Luberon during a French immersion in Provence?
Yes. Excursions allow you to discover the region while continuing to practise French in real-life situations: during the journey, visits, meals and encounters with local people.
Where is Lourmarin?
Lourmarin is located in the Vaucluse department, within the Luberon Regional Natural Park. The village is approximately 35 km from the centre of Aix-en-Provence.
Can you visit the Château de Lourmarin?
Yes. The Château de Lourmarin is open to visitors. As opening hours and visiting conditions may change depending on the time of year, it is best to check the official information before your visit.
Official information about the Château de Lourmarin
Why does an excursion help you learn French?
Because it puts French into context. The vocabulary you encounter during a visit, a meal or a conversation becomes directly connected to a real experience. During an immersion, these moments naturally complement the lessons.
Do you need a very good level of French to do an immersion?
No. The purpose of an immersion is precisely to practise at your own level and gradually increase the opportunities you have to listen to and speak French in everyday life.
You may also like
If you would like to continue discovering Provence, I take you to some other places that I particularly love. You can visit Cézanne’s Studio in Aix-en-Provence during a French immersion, discover my favourite hikes around Sainte-Victoire, or find out why Aix-en-Provence is my favourite city in Provence.
Each one offers a different way to discover the region, experience its culture and, of course, continue living the French language in a different way.
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