Glanum: learning French in the heart of Provence
Updated: Sep 17
Hi! My name is Jon, and I’m staying in Provence with my wife, Marie, at Virginie’s home.
This isn’t our first immersion stay here. In fact, it’s our second time staying with Virginie. We love this way of learning French: staying with a local, speaking French in everyday life, and discovering Provence at the same time. And even on a second visit, there is still so much to discover.
Today, I’m taking you with us to Glanum, near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
A day among ancient ruins, new French words, and lunch in town. A day that sums up what I love about French immersion: learning without constantly feeling like I’m studying.
On the road to Saint-Rémy, the French continues
We leave Rousset, where we’re staying, and head towards Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
In Virginie’s Twingo, the journey is already part of the immersion. The scenery rolls by: hills, vineyards, olive groves… and the conversation continues.
I love the French language, and my attention is often caught by a word or an expression. That morning, the landscape naturally gives me a chance to revisit vocabulary I already know.
That’s one of the things I enjoy about a French immersion stay: French doesn’t stop when the lesson ends. It follows us in the car, during our visits, at the restaurant… everywhere.
Discovering Glanum in French
At the entrance to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, at the foot of the Alpilles, we arrive at Glanum.
The site is impressive. All around us, ancient ruins blend into the Provençal landscape. The sound of cicadas and the scent of pine trees accompany us as we begin our visit.
Virginie tells us about the history of the site in French. Glanum was originally a Gallic settlement, later influenced by the Greeks before becoming a prosperous Roman town.
We walk among the remains of the forum, basilica, curia, and Roman baths. We also discover the monumental mausoleum at the entrance to the site.
And naturally, with so much to discover, French becomes part of the visit too.
“C’est ouf!”: learning French in real life
By the time we arrive at the parking lot, I’ve already learned a new expression: “C’est ouf!”
Do you know it?
“Ouf” is the verlan form of “fou,” meaning “crazy.” Saying “C’est ouf!” is an informal way of saying “That’s crazy!” or “That’s incredible!”
And our visit to Glanum is going to bring even more French words to life.
A sacred spring among the ruins
One of Glanum’s special features is its sacred spring.
The ancient inhabitants would leave offerings there, hoping for healing and prosperity. Virginie explains that the spring was believed to have miraculous powers and that some visitors still feel it has a special energy today.
These stories give another dimension to the stones around us. We’re not simply visiting an archaeological site: we’re talking, putting words to what we see, and discovering part of Provence’s history in French.
When French words come back naturally
The visit takes at least two hours, and the site is extensive.
When I see the ancient walls, a word I learned several years ago comes back to me: “rempart”, meaning “rampart.” In front of the curia, we talk about the word “assemblée”, meaning “assembly.”
That’s exactly what I was looking for when I came back for another immersion in Provence: not only learning new words, but also rediscovering words I already knew and using them in context.
Lunch in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
After Glanum, we head into the center of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
This time, no Provençal food! Marie and I love Asian food, so we asked Virginie to take us to an Asian restaurant. She chose a place she hadn’t tried before either.
I order shrimp noodles with a spicy coconut sauce and crunchy vegetables.
And even at the table, the French continues.
I already know the French words “croquant” and “épicé,” but our conversation also leads us to revisit other vocabulary, including Asian countries and nationality adjectives.
Learning without feeling like I’m studying
By the end of the day, I’ve discovered Glanum, revisited vocabulary I already knew, learned new words, and enjoyed lunch in Saint-Rémy.
But what I remember most about my French immersion in Provence is the feeling that I’m making progress without even realizing it.
The words stay with me because they become connected to a landscape, a story, a conversation, or a moment in the day.
It’s very different from a traditional French class. Here, the language simply becomes part of everyday life.
And for someone like me who truly loves French, it’s probably one of the best ways to keep learning.
Experiencing French immersion in Provence
At Virginie’s, French lessons are only one part of the experience. Excursions, car journeys, meals, and conversations all provide opportunities to keep practicing French in real-life situations.
So Glanum wasn’t simply an excursion.
It was another day in Provence, lived in French.
And that’s exactly why Marie and I came back.
You may also enjoy
Would you like to discover more of Provence and experience French immersion through everyday life? You can also discover my traditional Provençal beef stew recipe, join my students in Marseille and at the Château d’If, following in the footsteps of the Count of Monte Cristo, or continue exploring Provence with a day in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
FAQ
Where is Glanum?
Glanum is located just outside Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, at the foot of the Alpilles. The archaeological site contains the remains of an ancient settlement that experienced several cultural influences before the Roman period.
Can you visit Glanum during a French immersion stay?
Yes. A visit to Glanum provides many opportunities to practice French in a real-life context: during the journey, while exploring the site, and through conversations about its history and heritage.
Why visit Glanum during a French immersion stay?
Because a visit like this helps connect French vocabulary with what you see and experience. In Jon’s case, words he learned years ago naturally come back to him while exploring the site.
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