Hello everyone! My name is Liam. I'm Australian and I love adventure and learning new things. This summer, I had the chance to live in total immersion course with Virginie in Provence. This experience allowed me to perfect my French and discover the culture and landscapes of Provence. Provence in summer is a true paradise, with its lavender fields, colorful markets and impressive gorges. I share with you the excursions that I loved during my immersion stay in Provence.
Visit to the Provençal market of Aix-en-Provence
My first excursion started at the Aix-en-Provence market. Visiting a Provencal market is a pleasure all year round, but in summer it's even better. I discovered summer fruits and vegetables, regional products, such as tomatoes, melons and aromatic herbs. Each stall offered something new and delicious. With Virginie, we explored this market. It is a perfect place to discover the Provençal atmosphere. Locals meet here to share their love of good food and local produce. Have you ever noticed this too? This excursion was really fun but I preferred the second one which took place the next day.
Lavender picking in Valensole in Provence
The next day, we left for the Valensole plateau, famous for its lavender fields. I was dazzled (word I learned that day :-) by the landscapes. One of the most memorable moments of my stay in Provence was picking lavender. With Virginie, I learned to cut and dry lavender, while enjoying its scent. Provence in summer is truly a paradise for the senses. If you visit Provence in summer, this is the best time to see lavender in flower, between mid-June and mid-July. Do not hesitate to notify Virginie before because the Valensole plateau is 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from her immersion program. And a little further, there are the Gorges du Verdon: an excursion that I decided to do alone before arriving at Virginie’s.
An excursion to the Gorges du Verdon in Provence
The Verdon Gorges! Known as the "Grand Canyon" of Europe, these gorges offer spectacular views and a multitude of outdoor activities. The Gorges du Verdon are located 2 hours 20 minutes from Virginie in Provence. I joined friends there after my stay at Virginie In Provence. We kayaked in the turquoise waters, surrounded by majestic cliffs. Paddling on these clear, cool waters, while admiring the towering rock formations, was a magical experience. The Gorges du Verdon are the ideal place to cool off and have fun while admiring breathtaking landscapes. We were able to find very nice spots to picnic and swim. These moments of relaxation at the water's edge, with a Provençal picnic, were simply perfect.
A final word on this week of immersion course in Provence
Spending the summer in Provence and with Virginie was an enriching and unforgettable experience. Not only did I discover magnificent landscapes and local traditions, but I also improved my French thanks to his classes. Every day was a new adventure, filled with memorable moments. If you are coming for an immersion stay in Provence, I really invite you to contact Virginie en Provence. She will be happy to help you discover the different aspects of Provence: the landscapes and scents, but also the culture, the gastronomy, while helping you improve your French.
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