Immersion in Provence: an unforgettable day at the Pont du Gard (Jon’s testimonial)
- virginieinprovence
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
A French immersion in Provence: our experience
My name is Jon, and I came to France for a vacation, including two weeks of French immersion with Virginie in Provence.
I came with my wife, Marie. We are retired and were looking for a new adventure—something different. I had been wanting to experience a language immersion in France for three years.
From the very beginning, Virginie was very responsive to my emails and my needs, which immediately made us feel confident. I may be different from other students: I have almost no formal education in French. But one thing is certain—I am passionate about the French language.
And in my opinion, passion is essential if you want to learn a language!
A surprise excursion during our immersion: the Pont du Gard
When Virginie asked me to write about one of our excursions, I immediately thought of this one.
Destination… the Pont du Gard.
Honestly, I couldn’t believe it. Us? Going to the Pont du Gard?
And yet… it was real.
The only downside? Waking up early! We left at 7 a.m. to avoid traffic.
But it was absolutely worth it.
Discovering the Pont du Gard: a Roman masterpiece
My wife loves architecture, and she was not disappointed. Neither was I.
The Pont du Gard is simply magnificent.
Built in the 1st century, this Roman aqueduct carried water from Uzès to Nîmes, an important city at the time.
Museum and exhibition: understanding the history of the Pont du Gard
Before the guided tour, we explored the museum.
We learned about:
Roman construction techniques
the tools used
ancient plumbing systems
We also learned that it took a full day for water to reach Nîmes, thanks to a clever gravity-based system.
The distribution point was called the castellum divisorium, a structure that can still be seen today.
Guided tour in French: learning the language in real life
One of the highlights of our immersion in Provence was the guided tour… in French.
I told the guide that I wasn’t French and that I would stay close to her to better understand what she was saying.
It was an incredible experience:
listening to authentic French
learning vocabulary in context
practicing in real-life situations
Exactly what I was looking for in a language immersion.
Life in Roman times: an impressive system
Thanks to the guide’s explanations, we discovered what daily life was like for the Romans:
Few homes had private bathrooms
People used public baths
Toilets were shared (and… quite surprising!)
But most importantly, their water system was incredibly advanced:
clean water distributed throughout the city
wastewater removal
improved public health
A remarkable achievement for that time.
Climbing the aqueduct: a unique experience
The most impressive moment?
Climbing inside the aqueduct itself.
The Pont du Gard has three levels, built with massive stone blocks (up to 6 tons), assembled without mortar.
To reach the top, you have to go through a very narrow staircase.
I am claustrophobic… and I hesitated.
But Marie and Virginie encouraged me:“Jon, you can do it!”
They were right.
Moments later, I was at the top.
And it was incredible.
Walking inside the aqueduct channel
We walked inside the channel where water once flowed.
I noticed a thick layer of mineral deposits on the stones, formed over centuries.
Being inside this historical structure felt almost unreal.
A moment suspended in time.
End of the day: lunch with a view of the Pont du Gard
After the visit, we took time to walk around and take photos.
Then we sat down at a restaurant overlooking the Pont du Gard.
Even sitting there, we remained fascinated by its scale.
Why choose a French immersion in Provence?
This day perfectly sums up what an immersion with Virginie is all about:
learning French in real-life situations
discovering iconic places in Provence
enjoying authentic experiences
combining culture, history, and pleasure
My opinion: an unforgettable experience
The Pont du Gard is the most magical place I have ever seen.
I will never forget it.
And most importantly, I will never forget this immersion in Provence.
French immersion stay in Provence with Virginie
If you want to learn French in France in a warm and authentic setting, I highly recommend a stay with Virginie In Provence.
She will help you discover:
Provence
French culture
gastronomy
and of course… the French language
👉 A unique human and linguistic experience.
🌿 Read also
To explore more about Provence and learning French through immersion:
👉 A typical day in a French immersion in Provence
Discover what a day looks like, with lessons, meals, and excursions.
👉 The first 48 hours of a French immersion
What to expect when you arrive and how to adapt.
👉 The Calanques during a French immersion in Provence
A unique experience combining nature, sea, and language learning.
👉 Learning French through immersion: why it really works
The real benefits of a language stay in France.
👉 May in Provence: traditions, holidays, and the Cannes Film Festival
The best time to plan your trip.
👉 Provençal beef stew (daube): discover my recipe
An immersion… into French gastronomy too!
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