On July 14, 1789, an angry mob stormed the Bastille in Paris, which housed only seven inmates. To an enraged crowd, the medieval structure represented a landmark symbolizing their frustration with the reigning monarchy, a weak economic environment, high taxes and a lack of personal financial control. This milestone event …

My husband is a sports fan… all sports! And bike racing is one of them. He, therefore, watches the Tour de France every year, especially the mountain stages. So he’s in a great position to give me all the information I need to write this article with details about the …

Join me in Provence for a French immersion stay and learn about French painter Paul Cézanne and his atelier (workshop) in Aix-en-Provence.  That’s why I always have a lot of fun receiving students in immersion courses and sharing my love for this city and its region with them. Cézanne Fan …

May is one of my favourite months in Provence, with longer days and milder temperatures. Even though I often recommend discovering Provence during winter. May is a month when it is good to explore our region. It is also a month with several public holidays. The text below is in …

Jeannie and her daughter, Megan, joined Virginie for a wonderful French immersion week in Provence. They stayed in the studio Mas des Pins during their time in the region. Both mother and daughter are art lovers, so Virginie suggested visiting Arles. The text in English and French (written by Virginie’s …

Easter is a holiday period in France when children have a school break. It is a chance for families to gather over meals and enjoy some downtime while hiding chocolate treats. Below are some traditions and celebrations surrounding the Easter period in France and beyond. I have written the text …

The following text, in English and French, is a short introduction to discovering Provence’s almond trees and a few recipes. In the Provencal countryside, it is common to see almond trees growing in the wild. Several regional producers cultivate almonds for local consumption and use in local confectioneries like the …

Many people think of Provence in the summer with its lavender fields, sunflowers, chilled rosé and swimming pools. I invite you to explore my winter travel ideas for those months in Provence. The text below appears in English first, followed by French for those trying to improve their language skills. …

Virginie Van Der Wees wrote this article about Black Friday in Provence. She is a mother, wife, and French teacher who offers language immersion holidays near Aix-en-Provence. The text about consumer shopping trends in France is written in English, followed by French. Please keep reading for anyone interested in improving …

This article is about the traditions surrounding La Toussaint by a student who participated in a French immersion holiday with Virginie Van Der Wees. The text is written in English, followed by French text. Please keep reading for those interested in improving their French and learning about the holiday traditions …