Skye ’25, shares a “glimpse of what a typical Saturday looks like while on the French immersion trip.”
Beautiful vineyards, strawberry fields, small towns, and rivers, just like the Deerfield, fill the terrain of the South of France. When it comes time to sit down and plan out activities for the weekend, you will never fail to find a fun event. Here is a glimpse of what a typical Saturday looks like while on the French immersion trip.
To start the day, my host family and I visited the local market. As I approached the market, I was instantly hit with the smell of roasting chicken and fresh fruit. Countless stands lined the streets in the center of Arles, selling goods ranging from vintage Levi jeans to Vietnamese cuisine. There my family and I bought some pain au chocolates and croissants to eat while we shopped.
As a kid, I had always wanted to visit candy land; here in the South of France, my wish finally came true. After lunch, my host family set sail to a town called Uzés, which is about a hour drive from Arles. When I woke up from my nap, I was greeted by a sign reading, “Welcome to Candy Land” as my host family turned into the Haribo gummy museum parking lot. The museum smelt of sugar and the history of Haribo decorated the walls. My host sister and I explored the museum, taking plenty of photos and trying new flavors of jelly beans. To finish the visit, we ate a classic French Nutella crêpe at the park next door.
Next up, a taste of Roman History. A short drive away from the Haribo gummy museum is the Roman Aqueduct, Pont Du Gard. On the trail leading to the ancient monument, you can spot two thousand year old trees and the most vibrant orange flowers. The actual aqueduct itself was truly magnificent. Tall arches and strong stone compose the ancient aqueduct. The view you are met with while peering off the aqueduct is outstanding. A stone home greets you and a cool blue river flows below. From a distance, you can even spot the town Uzés. As the sun set, my host family and I walked along the river, skipping rocks along the way.
There are a multitude of options when it comes to spending your Saturday in the South of France. If you ever find yourself in the region of Provence, consider visiting the ancient Roman monuments, shopping at a local market, or even taking a dip in the many rivers that carve the region. Gregarious people reside in the countryside of France, so don’t be afraid to stop and have a chat about the rich culture that defines the land.
