Immersion in the heart of Glanum’s ancient ruins: learning French differently
- virginieinprovence
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
Hello! My name is Jon. I am currently on a language immersion stay in Provence with my wife Marie, hosted by Virginie. This is what many people call a French immersion in Provence.
We chose this experience because we wanted a language immersion in Provence to learn French in France while enjoying an authentic homestay.
This isn’t our first stay (it’s actually the second time we’ve come to Virginie’s in Provence), but every time we discover new things.
Today, I’d like to share a day that perfectly shows what language holidays in Provence are all about: a visit to Glanum, an exceptional archaeological site, followed by lunch in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
On the road to Saint-Rémy: a French lesson in the Twingo
We left Rousset, the village where we’re staying, heading to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. In Virginie’s little Twingo, the road is never silent. Here, every drive becomes a French class.
The Provençal landscapes rolled by: hills, vineyards, olive groves. I love the French language, and my attention is always caught by a new word, a new expression. That morning, I revised my vocabulary by describing the Provençal scenery.
That’s what an immersion stay in Provence is like: learning or reviewing French through conversations, without notebooks or stress, but in real life.
Glanum: visiting a unique archaeological site in Provence
At the entrance of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, nestled in the Alpilles mountains, lies Glanum, an ancient site. Honestly, it’s impressive!
Few people outside the region know about it, yet it’s one of the most important archaeological sites in Provence.
The sound of cicadas and the smell of pine gave the visit a typically Provençal atmosphere. Virginie explained in French that Glanum was first a Gaulish settlement, then influenced by the Greeks, before becoming a prosperous Roman town.
Here you can still see:
the Roman forum: the main public square where political life and trade took place, the heart of the city.
a basilica: not a church, but the main civic building where justice and business matters were conducted.
a curia: the hall where city councillors met and debated important decisions.
Roman baths: public baths, essential for hygiene but also for social encounters.
a monumental mausoleum: an impressive Roman tomb built to honor a prominent family, symbol of memory and prestige.
At the entrance to the site stands a mausoleum. As soon as we arrived in the parking lot, I had already learned a new word. Isn’t that crazy? In French slang we say c’est ouf ! (it means “that’s insane!”). Learning in context helps me remember immediately.
Legends and the sacred spring of Glanum
What makes Glanum unique is its sacred spring. For over 2,000 years, water has flowed here in the middle of the ruins. The ancient inhabitants came to make offerings—coins, pottery, various objects—asking for healing and prosperity.
Virginie explained that the spring was reputed to be miraculous. Even today, some visitors believe it still holds a special energy.
These historical anecdotes bring the site to life. For me, it was more than just a visit: it was a cultural immersion French lesson.
Between history and vocabulary: learning French while traveling
The visit takes at least two hours because the site is large. Each monument became an opportunity to enrich my vocabulary. In front of the walls, I repeated the word rempart (rampart). In front of the columns, we took countless photos. At the curia, we talked about the word assemblée (assembly).
This is exactly what I was hoping for: to learn French in Provence, reviewing it in context while visiting and experiencing the culture. Learning French in France isn’t just about studying—it’s about feeling it.
A gourmet pause: lunch in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
After this historical immersion, we headed to the center of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. The village is beautiful, with cobbled streets, fountains, and sunny terraces.
At our request, Virginie took us to an Asian restaurant—an amusing contrast amid the Provençal stone buildings. But if you prefer traditional cuisine, make sure to check out Virginie’s recipe for the daube provençale.
We personally love Asian food. I chose shrimp noodles with a spicy coconut sauce and crunchy vegetables. Honestly, it was delicious! Virginie also loved this place, which she hadn’t known before.
And even at the table, the French immersion continued. I’m not a beginner, so I already knew words like croquant (crispy) and épicé (spicy) to describe my dish. But I revised other vocabulary, like the nationalities of Asian countries.
That’s what makes a homestay language immersion in Provence so effective: every moment of daily life becomes a natural lesson.
A full day of language immersion in Provence
In just one day, I discovered an incredible archaeological site in Provence, learned about ten new words, and enjoyed a convivial meal. It was really cool!
What I take away from this immersion stay in Provence is that I progress without even realizing it. Words stick because they’re connected to places, emotions, and stories.
Conclusion: learning French in Provence, a living experience
A language immersion stay in Provence with Virginie is much more than French lessons: it’s total immersion, where every outing becomes a lesson, every meal an exercise, every encounter an exchange.
To find out more, also read about our excursion to Marseille and the Château d’If, following in the footsteps of the Count of Monte Cristo.
👉 If you’re looking for a unique French immersion in Provence, through culture, gastronomy, and history, discover Virginie’s program: www.virginieinprovence.com.
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