Provence embodies the romantic ideal of southern France: sun-drenched lavender fields, ancient Roman ruins, colorful markets overflowing with fresh produce, and hilltop villages that seem frozen in time. This region in southeastern France has inspired artists from Van Gogh to Cezanne and continues to captivate visitors with its slower pace of life and Mediterranean flavors.
While many Provencaux speak excellent English, using French opens doors to deeper connections and authentic experiences. The local accent has a distinctive musicality, with a tendency to pronounce final syllables that would be silent in Parisian French. This lesson will prepare you to explore markets, wineries, and villages throughout this enchanting region.
Exploring the Markets
Provencal markets are legendary. Nearly every town has its weekly market day, where locals shop for fresh produce, cheese, olives, and artisanal products. The market experience is quintessentially French and offers wonderful opportunities to practice your language skills.
Market Vocabulary
le marche
luh mahr-SHAY
the market
le marche provencal
luh mahr-SHAY proh-vahn-SAHL
Provencal market
le producteur
luh proh-duk-TUHR
the producer / farmer
les produits du terroir
lay proh-DWEE du teh-RWAHR
local products
bio / biologique
BEE-oh / bee-oh-loh-ZHEEK
organic
fait maison
feh may-ZOHN
homemade
Market Products
la lavande
lah lah-VAHND
lavender
les olives
lay zoh-LEEV
olives
l'huile d'olive
lweel doh-LEEV
olive oil
les herbes de Provence
lay ZEHRB duh proh-VAHNS
Provencal herb blend
le miel
luh MYEHL
honey
le savon de Marseille
luh sah-VOHN duh mahr-SAY
Marseille soap
la tapenade
lah tah-puh-NAHD
olive paste spread
les calissons
lay kah-lee-SOHN
almond candies from Aix
Tourist:Bonjour! C'est de la lavande de Provence? (Hello! Is this Provence lavender?)
Vendor:Oui, de Valensole. On la recolte en juillet. (Yes, from Valensole. We harvest it in July.)
Tourist:Je peux sentir? C'est combien le sachet? (Can I smell it? How much is the sachet?)
Vendor:Bien sur! Cinq euros le sachet, ou trois pour douze. (Of course! Five euros each, or three for twelve.)
Tourist:J'en prends trois. Vous avez aussi de l'huile essentielle? (I'll take three. Do you also have essential oil?)
Market Tip
Markets typically run from early morning until around 1 PM. Arrive early for the best selection, or later for potential bargains. Always greet vendors with "Bonjour" before shopping. Don't touch produce unless invited; instead, point and say what you'd like. Bring cash and your own bag.
Roman Heritage
Provence was a major Roman province, and spectacular ruins remain throughout the region. Cities like Arles, Nimes, and Orange boast some of the best-preserved Roman monuments outside Italy.
Roman Sites and Vocabulary
les arenes
lay zah-REHN
the arena / amphitheater
le theatre antique
luh tay-AH-truh ahn-TEEK
the ancient theater
l'aqueduc
lah-kuh-DUK
the aqueduct
le Pont du Gard
luh pohn du GAHR
the Gard Bridge (Roman aqueduct)
les ruines romaines
lay rween roh-MEHN
Roman ruins
l'arc de triomphe
lark duh tree-OHNF
triumphal arch
Quand a ete construit ce monument?
kahn ah ay-TAY kohn-STRWEE suh moh-nu-MAHN
When was this monument built?
C'est bien conserve!
say byehn kohn-sehr-VAY
It's well preserved!
Hilltop Villages
Provence's villages perches (perched villages) are among France's most picturesque. Built on hilltops for defensive purposes, these stone villages offer stunning views and atmospheric wandering.
Village Vocabulary
le village perche
luh vee-LAHZH pehr-SHAY
hilltop village
les ruelles
lay ru-EHL
narrow streets / lanes
la place du village
lah plahs du vee-LAHZH
village square
la fontaine
lah fohn-TEHN
the fountain
l'eglise
lay-GLEEZ
the church
le chateau
luh shah-TOH
the castle
le belvedere
luh behl-vay-DEHR
viewpoint / lookout
la vue panoramique
lah vu pah-noh-rah-MEEK
panoramic view
Famous Villages
Gordes
GOHRD
iconic hilltop village
Roussillon
roo-see-YOHN
ochre-colored village
Les Baux-de-Provence
lay BOH duh proh-VAHNS
medieval fortress village
Saint-Remy-de-Provence
san ray-MEE duh proh-VAHNS
where Van Gogh painted
Wine Country
Provence produces excellent wines, from the famous roses to robust reds from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Visiting wineries (domaines) is a highlight of any Provence trip.
Wine Vocabulary
le domaine viticole
luh doh-MEHN vee-tee-KOHL
wine estate / vineyard
la degustation
lah day-gu-stah-SYOHN
wine tasting
le vin rose
luh van roh-ZAY
rose wine
les Cotes du Rhone
lay koht du ROHN
Rhone Valley wines
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
shah-toh-NUHF du PAHP
famous wine region
les cepages
lay say-PAHZH
grape varieties
Tourist:Bonjour, est-ce possible de faire une degustation? (Hello, is it possible to do a tasting?)
Vigneron:Bien sur! Vous preferez le rose ou le rouge? (Of course! Do you prefer rose or red?)
Tourist:Les deux, si possible. C'est quoi vos cepages? (Both, if possible. What are your grape varieties?)
Vigneron:Grenache, syrah et mourvedre pour les rouges. Je vous explique notre terroir. (Grenache, syrah and mourvedre for the reds. Let me explain our terroir.)
Provencal Cuisine
Provencal cooking celebrates the Mediterranean sun with olive oil, fresh vegetables, herbs, and seafood. The flavors are bold yet balanced, reflecting the abundance of the region.
l'aioli
lah-yoh-LEE
garlic mayonnaise (and the dish)
la soupe au pistou
lah soop oh pee-STOO
vegetable soup with basil paste
la daube provencale
lah DOHB proh-vahn-SAHL
Provencal beef stew
la pissaladiere
lah pee-sah-lah-DYEHR
onion and anchovy tart
la socca
lah SOH-kah
chickpea pancake (Nice)
le pastis
luh pahs-TEES
anise-flavored aperitif
Pastis Ritual
Pastis is the signature drink of Provence. It's served with a carafe of cold water that you add yourself, turning the clear spirit cloudy white. The typical ratio is five parts water to one part pastis. Never add ice before the water. Locals drink it as an aperitif before lunch or dinner.
Practical Phrases for Provence
Ou sont les champs de lavande?
oo sohn lay shahn duh lah-VAHND
Where are the lavender fields?
C'est le jour du marche?
say luh zhoor du mahr-SHAY
Is today market day?
Je cherche un restaurant avec terrasse.
zhuh shehrsh uhn res-toh-RAHN ah-vek teh-RAHS
I'm looking for a restaurant with a terrace.
Il fait beau aujourd'hui!
eel feh BOH oh-zhoor-DWEE
The weather is beautiful today!
Quick Reference: Provence Essentials
le Luberon
luh lu-beh-ROHN
mountain region with villages
le mistral
luh mee-STRAHL
strong northern wind
la cigale
lah see-GAHL
cicada (symbol of Provence)
la petanque
lah pay-TAHNK
boules game
Provence rewards slow travel. Take time to wander village streets, linger over meals, and chat with locals. The relaxed pace is part of the charm, and your French will improve with every interaction. In the next lesson, we'll continue along the Mediterranean coast to explore the glamour and beauty of the French Riviera.