A day of immersion in Provence: learning French with Marcia
- virginieinprovence
- Jun 18
- 4 min read
Hello, my name is Marcia and I come from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
I am currently taking part in a French immersion stay in Provence with Virginie In Provence. It was my American French teacher, Virginie, known through her business "Ehouiclass", who recommended this program to help me improve my French in an authentic environment.
Since my arrival, I have felt completely welcomed by Virginie and her family. This experience allows me not only to practice French every day, but also to discover French culture, local gastronomy, and the beautiful landscapes of the region.
Today, I would like to share with you one of the most memorable days of my French language immersion stay in Provence, at the foot of the famous Mont Sainte-Victoire.
A day of French immersion in Provence with Marcia: breakfast
The day began with a delicious breakfast shared with Virginie. We enjoyed a chausson aux pommes (French apple turnover) and a tresse au sucre perlé, a sweet brioche topped with pearl sugar that is very popular in France. We shared them happily while discussing our plans for the day.
As is often the case during my French immersion stay in Provence, the French lesson started naturally around the breakfast table. We talked about many different topics: daily life, cultural differences between France and the United States, and our personal experiences. One of the things I appreciate most about Virginie is her patience and kindness. She always makes me feel comfortable and encourages me to speak French without worrying about making mistakes.
A day of French immersion in Provence with Marcia: discovering verlan
During the morning, we explored a fascinating aspect of the French language: verlan.
Virginie explained the different ways French is spoken, including regional dialects, slang, and common expressions used in everyday life. Verlan consists of reversing the syllables of a word to create a new pronunciation. Originally, it was used as a coded language before becoming widely popular in French culture.
We talked about Renaud's famous song Laisse béton, which actually means laisse tomber ("forget it" or "let it go"). Learning these kinds of expressions is especially interesting when studying French in France because it helps you understand how the language is really spoken by native speakers.
Virginie also showed me a video that helped me better understand how verlan works and how it is used in contemporary French culture.
A day of French immersion in Provence with Marcia: a Provençal lunch
After our French lesson, during which we reviewed the conditional tense and spent a long time practicing conversation, we enjoyed a slightly late lunch. We had already eaten very well at breakfast, after all!
Virginie continues to surprise me with her cooking. That day, she prepared shrimp cooked with onions, garlic, and vegetables purchased at the local market the day before. The result was absolutely delicious. The flavors were simple, generous, and unmistakably Provençal.
We enjoyed the meal with a fresh salad, olives, and a cup of tea. Shared meals are one of the things I love most about my French immersion experience in Provence. They provide a relaxed opportunity to practice French while discovering local cuisine.
A day of French immersion in Provence with Marcia: hiking to the Cézanne Refuge
After lunch, we set off to discover one of Provence's most beautiful landscapes: Mont Sainte-Victoire.
We drove to the Deux Aiguilles parking area, which is the starting point for many hikes on the southern side of the mountain. From there, it is possible to reach the Cézanne Refuge, built in 1954 by Jean Magnan and members of the Excursionnistes Provençaux association from Aix-en-Provence.
We followed a trail that gradually climbs through the fragrant Provençal scrubland known as the garrigue. Along the way, we enjoyed magnificent views of vineyards, rolling hills, and Mont Sainte-Victoire itself. We did not make it all the way to the refuge that day, but it hardly mattered. Simply walking through this iconic Provençal landscape was already an unforgettable experience.
A day of French immersion in Provence with Marcia: the perfect end to a wonderful day
One last walk through the Provençal vineyards
Back at the house, I took advantage of the late afternoon to enjoy one last walk through the Provençal countryside. I wandered along the vineyards surrounding the property while admiring the beautiful landscapes of Sainte-Victoire one last time, bathed in the soft evening light.
Fully personalized French lessons
Before ending the day, I asked Virginie for a few extra exercises on the conditional tense, a grammar point we had covered during the lesson. I still need some practice, but I already know that tomorrow Virginie will find another creative way to help me improve. That's one of the greatest advantages of this French immersion stay in Provence: every lesson is fully personalized and adapted to each student's pace and needs.
A complete immersion in Provençal culture
This day perfectly sums up my experience with Virginie In Provence. Every day is different, yet each one offers the same perfect balance between learning French, discovering the local culture, enjoying Provençal cuisine, and exploring the beautiful natural landscapes of Provence.
Why I recommend this French immersion in Provence
If you would like to learn French in France in a warm and authentic setting, I highly recommend a French immersion stay in Provence with Virginie. You'll not only improve your French, but also discover the landscapes, traditions, flavors, and art of living that make Provence such a special place.
For me, this immersion has been much more than simply taking French lessons. It has been a truly enriching human and cultural experience that I will never forget.
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