Éguilles, a Provençal village near Aix-en-Provence to discover through immersion

virginieinprovence
Jan 8
3 min read

Three children playing with the water of a fountain in the village of Éguilles, near Aix-en-Provence, illustrating the gentle pace of life and family life in Provence — My children in Éguilles, playing with the water of a Provençal fountain

My name is Virginie, and I am a French immersion teacher near Aix-en-Provence.

Today, I would like to introduce you to a village that is especially close to our hearts: Éguilles, where we lived as a family for two years. I hope this virtual visit will inspire you to come and practice your French during an immersion stay with me in Provence.

Éguilles, a Provençal village with a surprising name

Cobblestone street in the village of Éguilles, near Aix-en-Provence, with stone houses, colorful shutters, and the typical atmosphere of a Provençal village — Typical alleyway in the village of Éguilles, Provence

Éguilles… what a curious name, isn’t it?

It is pronounced exactly like “aiguille” — you know, the small metal needle used for knitting.The s is silent.

Try it: é-gui-ye.

Not easy to pronounce at first… but so easy to live in.

A typical Provençal village

Provençal houses with light façades and colorful shutters in the village of Éguilles, near Aix-en-Provence, symbolizing traditional Provençal architecture — Houses with colorful shutters in Éguilles, a Provençal village

Éguilles has all the features you imagine when thinking of a Provençal village:

stone houses, colorful shutters, narrow streets, and above all, the kindness of its inhabitants.

Panoramic view over the tiled rooftops of Éguilles and the surrounding Provençal countryside, just 20 minutes from Aix-en-Provence — View over the rooftops of Éguilles and the Provençal countryside.

Located just 20 minutes from Aix-en-Provence, the village offers a magnificent view of the Provençal countryside from its belvedere. From this viewpoint, you can see two emblematic buildings:

a château, which today houses the town hall,
and right next to it, the lovely Saint-Julien church, well worth a visit.

A lively village all year round

Façade of a traditional bakery on the main street of Éguilles, a Provençal village lively all year round near Aix-en-Provence — Bakery in the center of Éguilles, a lively village meeting place

With around 7,500 inhabitants, Éguilles is far from being a sleepy village. Throughout the year, the town offers many activities: local festivals, events for children, as well as cultural and sports activities.

You’ll also find many local shops: bakeries, butcher shops, a pharmacy, a post office, a veterinarian, a cinema… and — to my great surprise — an impressive number of hair salons.

Don’t smile… they’re always full!

Treats, wine, and the Provençal art of living

It’s impossible to talk about Éguilles without mentioning the Confiserie d’Entrecasteaux, where you can taste the famous calissons d’Aix. This confectioner is one of the last to preserve truly artisanal production, and the visit is a real delight for food lovers.

Located on the wine route, Éguilles also offers the opportunity to discover local wines. The Cellier d’Éguilles, the cooperative wine cellar of local producers, is open from Monday to Saturday and is well worth a visit.

Pétanque, nature, and a gentle pace of life

Small stone staircase in a narrow alley of the village of Éguilles, illustrating the authentic and historic charm of Provençal villages — Stone staircase in a small alley of Éguilles

The village also has many restaurants and a tourist office, where Mina and Carole will be happy to help you. Just next door, you’ll find a boulodrome. A boulodrome? It’s simply a place where people play pétanque — an iconic symbol of Provence.

Surrounded by forests, vineyards, and fields, Éguilles is also ideal for cycling and hiking.

Gardens, fountains, and hidden treasures

Tree-filled garden in Éguilles, near Aix-en-Provence, offering a calm and green space typical of Provençal gardens — Peaceful garden in Éguilles, a green haven in Provence

In Éguilles, you’ll discover beautiful gardens, such as the municipal garden or the listed garden of Marie de Gasquet. But what I love most are the fountains: you’ll find them everywhere, in gardens and along village streets.

They give Éguilles much of its charm, in my opinion. In fact, the main photo of this article shows my three children playing with the water of a village fountain.

Provençal fountain located in front of the Éguilles municipal police, with buildings featuring green shutters and the authentic atmosphere of the village center — Village fountain in front of the Éguilles municipal police

As you wander through the streets, you may also come across an old washhouse or a traditional dovecote. As you can see, Éguilles is full of little treasures.

Nature, wine, gastronomy… what more could you ask for?

If you come to stay with me for a French immersion experience in Provence, I will help you discover all these aspects: landscapes, culture, gastronomy… while naturally improving your French through everyday life.

See you soon in Provence,

Virginie in Provence

FAQ – Éguilles and French immersion in Provence

Where is Éguilles located?

Éguilles is located about 20 minutes from Aix-en-Provence, in the heart of the Provençal countryside.

What can you do in Éguilles?

Walks, hikes, markets, tastings, pétanque, discovering local heritage and gastronomy.

Is Éguilles lively all year round?

Yes, with many cultural, sports, and community activities.