Thanksgiving in Provence: Traditions, Sharing & French Immersion

Virginie in Provence and her family — a warm and welcoming home for French immersion students

Hello! My name is Virginie, and I’m a French teacher for foreigners. Every year, I welcome students from all over the world for French immersion stays in Provence.

Most of my students come from the United States, and it’s thanks to them that I discovered Thanksgiving several years ago.

I immediately loved the story behind this celebration — its human spirit, its message of gratitude, and what it represents: taking the time to say thank you.

That’s why I wanted to tell you more about it here: to share the origins of Thanksgiving, but also how I sometimes celebrate it with my students when they are here in Provence in November.

I. Thanksgiving: A beautiful story from America

A short video to learn about the origins of Thanksgiving

Let’s go back to where it all began.

Thanksgiving is a traditional American holiday, first celebrated in 1621 by the English settlers (the “Pilgrims”) and the Wampanoag Native Americans.They shared a meal to give thanks to the land and celebrate their first successful harvest in North America.

Since then, Thanksgiving has remained a symbol of gratitude, solidarity, and sharing.In the United States, it’s celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, while in Canada, it takes place on the second Monday of October.

It’s a special time for families to come together around a generous meal featuring traditional dishes such as roast turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and sometimes cornbread or sweet potato gratin.

II. Thanksgiving in Provence: A cultural exchange

Julian preparing homemade garlic bread for the lunch — one of the favorite shared dishes

When my students are at home, whatever the time of year, they’re always welcome to cook something if they wish.For Thanksgiving, I sometimes suggest recreating a traditional meal together.

Some prefer to celebrate it à la française, while others love to keep their own traditions alive — and it’s always such a joy!

Even beyond Thanksgiving, many of my students have delighted us throughout the year:

• Teresa, whose family is of Italian origin, once cooked her famous spaghetti bolognese — it was amazing.

• Jeanne, from Iowa, prepared a delicious chicken pot pie.

• And Louise and Julian, a British couple, treated the whole family to homemade garlic bread and meatballs.

Theresa cooking her famous spaghetti bolognese — a delicious memory from her immersion stay

Cooking together is always a wonderful moment of sharing.We love discovering new recipes, learning how to pronounce the ingredients in French (and for us, in English!), and of course... tasting everything!

Sometimes, we mix it all up: a bit of roast turkey, a vegetable tian, and a glass of local rosé wine — and it’s just perfect. 🍷

III. An immersion between language, culture, and conviviality

A Provençal-style Thanksgiving dinner — ham, pies, and plenty of warmth

When you come for a French immersion stay in Provence, feel free to talk to me about your culture — we’ll find ways to celebrate it while discovering the French one, too.

During your stay, you’ll share our daily life, explore local cuisine, learn about French traditions, and so much more.

Whatever your nationality, an immersion in Provence is above all a human experience — a bridge between two worlds, where language, culture, and connection come together naturally.

🧡 See you soon in Provence, around a beautiful shared table!

Virginie in Provence