Language immersion in Provence: a day of Cézanne, history and art de vivre
- virginieinprovence
- Oct 21
- 3 min read
Welcoming back a loyal student on immersion
This weekend, we had the joy of welcoming back Robin, a loyal student returning for her second French immersion stay in Provence. Her arrival felt a bit like Christmas 🎁: gifts, laughter, hugs… The children were thrilled to see her again, and so were we.
Breakfast in Provence: starting the immersion day
Upon arrival, Robin needed some rest. She enjoyed a good night’s sleep in her studio before sharing breakfast with me the next morning. As always in my immersions, this moment was tailored to her needs: since Robin is gluten-intolerant, I had prepared gluten-free bread and her favorite red berries.
Visiting Aix-en-Provence: from the Bibémus Quarry to Cézanne’s Studio
After breakfast, we headed to Aix-en-Provence. Our first stop was the Tourist Office to check if there were still tickets available for the Bibémus Quarry, a site dear to Cézanne.
Luckily, Robin had booked her tickets in advance for Cézanne’s Studio. A smart decision: due to the delayed reopening, all visits from May and June had been postponed to autumn, and there were no spots left.
Learning everyday French while shopping
Before heading to the Pavillon Vendôme, we made a quick stop at H&M: my daughter needed socks. I rarely shop for myself as I don’t enjoy it, but I love accompanying my students on these little errands. This time, the moment turned into a French lesson for Robin.
Since the store was crowded, we used the self-checkout, and the staff explained how it worked. Robin learned practical words like 'cintre', 'retirer l'antivol", or "caisse"—and even got some "in real-life" practice when a forgotten security tag forced us to return to the register!
Pavillon Vendôme Aix-en-Provence: between history and contemporary art
We then visited the Pavillon Vendôme, a 17th-century jewel built by the Duke of Vendôme for his love affair with Lucrèce de Forbin-Solliès, nicknamed “la belle du Canet.” After the Duke’s death, Lucrèce retired to a convent, and over the centuries the pavilion was transformed into a museum. Today, it hosts contemporary art exhibitions and boasts a magnificent French-style garden.
Cézanne Exhibition 1956–1961: the story of an art theft at the Pavillon Vendôme
During our visit, an exhibition paid tribute to the famous Cézanne exhibition of 1956. Surprisingly, that year, eight paintings were stolen from the pavilion while the curator was asleep inside. A striking story, now part of the monument’s history.
Café du Temps Aix-en-Provence: a gourmet break
After the visit, we sat down at the Café du Temps, one of my favorite places in Aix-en-Provence. The menu offers delicious Mediterranean cuisine, including gluten-free options 🌿—perfect for my students and friends.
Robin, still a little tired from jet lag, enjoyed a strong coffee ☕, while I delighted in stuffed aubergines, a colorful and flavorful Provençal dish.
A solidarity gesture at Monoprix in Aix
Before heading home, we made one last stop at Monoprix. On the way, some homeless people asked us for help. We bought a few Pasta Boxes—those quick meals that students often eat in France—and gave them away.
It’s not a dish I usually eat (and certainly not what’s shown in the photo 😉), but as we say in France: Ça fait le travail—“It gets the job done.” A simple meal to fill the stomach.
This small, spontaneous act of kindness made the end of our day even more meaningful, combining sharing, art, gastronomy, and humanity.
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