Julie – French Immersion in Avignon City, Provence

Your teacher

Hello, my name is Julie!

I’m originally from Lyon, but my heart has always been in the South of France. As a child, I spent every holiday in Uzès, where part of my family is from, and I’ve always felt deeply connected to this region—the warmth of the light, the scent of the garrigue (the wild herbs and shrubs of Provence), the rhythm of life that follows the seasons.

I’ve lived in many places—Brazil, Germany, the Philippines—and traveled across the US, Australia, and Lebanon. These experiences shaped my love for languages, cultures, and human connections. I speak French, English, German, and Portuguese fluently as well as some Spanish and Italian. I love how each language opens a new window on the world.

I’m a certified French teacher for foreigners and examiner for the DELF, DALF, and TCF exams and have extensive experience teaching French at all levels. I studied French literature, history and philosophy, and I hold two master's degrees in anthropology and German literature.

I have a deep love for beauty in all its forms. I play the piano and harpsichord, and few things make me happier than admiring a 12th-century cloister at sunrise, picnicking in the Alpilles in early spring or on a warm summer evening, or gathering wildflowers on a countryside walk. I love losing myself in an extraordinary film, riding horses, reading poetry, or spending an afternoon in a beautiful garden. You might also find me lying in the grass with a good book, going to the theater, picking up fresh vegetables from a local farm, cooking with wildflowers, or simply enjoying an evening drink with my students or friends in my lovely city.

After founding my own French school in Brazil, I finally returned to Provence eight years ago, and since then, I have been welcoming French learners for immersive stays. Here, under the deep blue sky of Avignon, I get to share not just my love for the French language, but also the art of embracing life’s simple joys.

Teaching style

I strive to teach the French you’ll actually hear and use in real life. Many language schools focus on textbook French, which often leaves students unprepared for the way people really speak. The result? They arrive in France, excited to practice, only to feel lost. Spoken French is full of contractions, dropped syllables, fast liaisons, and missing “ne” in negations, making it sound completely different from the clear, structured sentences they learned in class. My goal is to bridge that gap and help you navigate real conversations with confidence.

First and foremost, I focus on helping you feel at ease in everyday interactions—whether ordering at a café, buying bread at a bakery, or asking for the check at a restaurant. Over the years, I’ve noticed that even advanced learners struggle with these common exchanges, which can lead to small but frustrating cultural misunderstandings. Yet mastering them is essential for an enjoyable and stress-free stay—and for building the motivation to go even further with the language.

I also place great emphasis on fluency. When French people speak, you don’t have the luxury of pausing to construct the perfect sentence. That’s why I use drills and flashcards to build automatic responses. You’ll practice verbs in different tenses, negation, and essential structures until they become second nature. Over time, your ear will adapt, and you’ll no longer need to think about word order—you’ll simply speak.

To make learning engaging, I incorporate board games and storytelling into my lessons. Telling stories is one of the most effective ways to develop fluency and independence in French.

For me, speaking French well isn’t about perfection—it’s about confidence. Whether you’re having a quick chat or a deep conversation, what matters most is feeling comfortable and understood. That’s why combining learning with vacation is so powerful: when you enjoy the process, you learn naturally!

Levels taught

In my opinion, a French immersion stay is particularly suited for learners who want to put into practice what they have learned in language classes. Over the course of a one-week stay, you will have the opportunity to speak for more than 35 hours!

For this reason, I generally recommend that students have some prior knowledge of French before embarking on an immersion experience, so they can rely less on English and make the most of their time here.

That being said, I have successfully taught absolute beginners in immersion programs lasting three weeks or more, with excellent results. So, if you are a beginner, you are more than welcome to join—just keep in mind that a minimum stay of two to three weeks is recommended to ensure steady progress and a rewarding experience.

During your French immersion, you will be staying in a beautiful 17th-century apartment with a rich history. This was the home of Nicolas Mignard, first painter to Louis XIV and a close friend of Molière, who stayed here multiple times and even performed some of his plays in the courtyard.

You will have the entire apartment to yourself, ensuring both comfort and independence. I live just 10 minutes away, so I will come to you every day for lessons and shared meals. You’ll enjoy the best of both worlds—your own private space while always having support nearby if needed.

The apartment has retained all its historic charm, with terracotta tile floors, exposed beams, 18th-century roofing frameworks, and original fireplaces. Its large windows let in plenty of natural light, making it a warm and inviting space.

It features two bedrooms:

A spacious master bedroom with a king-size bed (180x200), opening onto a quiet street.

A cozy second bedroom with a queen-size bed (140x200), overlooking a private courtyard. Each bedroom has its own full ensuite bathroom for maximum comfort.

As a lover of Provence’s charming flea markets, I have personally selected each piece of furniture to honor the apartment’s history while creating a welcoming and elegant atmosphere.

Come with me on a gourmet tour, and why not, a cooking class at my home!

Provence is a true pays de cocagne—a paradise for food lovers. Some of the best fruits and vegetables come from here: the sweet strawberries of Carpentras, the fragrant melons of Cavaillon, the golden olive oil from Les Baux-de-Provence, the delicate asparagus of Lauris, the juicy cherries from Venasque, and so much more. Here, everything bursts with flavor: tomatoes are sun-ripened and succulent, fennel is intensely aromatic, and the famous black truffle—our diamant noir, which grows from November to March—is an essence of pure umami.

Nestled in the heart of Provence, Avignon is a city where history, art, and nature blend seamlessly under the warm Mediterranean sun. Once the seat of the popes, its majestic Palais des Papes and medieval ramparts whisper tales of a grand past. Strolling through its cobbled streets, you’ll discover charming squares, lively markets, and hidden courtyards bathed in golden light. Beyond the city, the rolling vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the lavender fields of the Luberon, and the ochre cliffs of Roussillon paint an unforgettable landscape. From the echoes of Van Gogh’s brushstrokes to the rhythm of cicadas in olive groves, Provence is a feast for the senses—an invitation to slow down, savor, and be inspired.

Getting there

Avignon is a charming mid-sized city in the south of France, home to around 100,000 residents. Known for its medieval heritage, narrow streets, bohemian atmosphere, and lively café culture, it’s the perfect base in Provence to experience the region’s relaxed way of life.

Getting to Avignon is quick and easy, especially from Paris or Marseille. A direct TGV train from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) takes just 2 hours and 40 minutes. For convenience, it's best to arrive at Avignon Centre station

Getting around

Your French immersion will take place in the heart of Avignon, inside the 14th-century city walls. This prime location puts you within walking distance of numerous restaurants, cafés, museums, shops, parks, and even upscale boutiques.

For fresh local produce, you can buy vegetables, fruit, cheese, and eggs directly from a nearby organic farm, just a 15-minute walk from town. There’s also a farmers’ market every Monday afternoon.

The famous Les Halles covered market is just a 10-minute walk away. The train station is only a 5-minute walk.

If you’d like to explore the surrounding area during your free time or on weekends (especially if you’re staying for several weeks), many fantastic destinations are easily accessible:

Arles – 15 minutes by train
Nîmes – 30 minutes by train
L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – 30 minutes by train
Marseille – 1 hour by train
Montpellier – 1 hour by train
Gordes – 45 minutes by car
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence – 30 minutes by car
Pont du Gard – 30 minutes by car
Uzès – 45 minutes by car

Cancellation policy

- A prebooking and a down payment of 30% are required to secure your reservation.
- Transfer of the outstanding balance (70%) must be paid at least 30 days before the day of arrival.
- Cancellation policy : All payments are forfeited

Payment method

Transfers from outside the UE must be done via Wise.com or by bank wire from European bank accounts.