THEME WEEK-ENDS
The weekend optional programme adds an extra dimension to your stay, allowing you to spend Saturday and Sunday away from the centre enjoying cultural or outdoor activities, in the company of a member of the CREA-LANGUES team.
Aix-en-Provence - Marseille European Capital of Culture in 2013
(8-9 juin 2013)
Marseille-Provence has been selected to be the European Capital of Culture in 2013. All year long, hundreds of cultural and artistic events will take place throughout the Provence region .
We propose an exclusive weekend. The first day, you’ll discover the many faces of Marseille, with a local inhabitant as guide to visit exceptional places (i.e. new muséum, exhibition …). An excellent opportunity to discover this reputed city with a a new look. Saturday night will be in Aix-en-Provence. Sunday, you’ll stroll around the home city of Paul Cézanne and enjoy more happenings of this "Capital year".
Come and take part in Europe’s vibrant cultural scene, whilst being totally immersed in the French language.
Gastronomie (27-28 July and 10-11 August 2013)
We invite you to discover Provencal cuisine, with all its rich flavours and scents. The monastery garden provides the delicious home-grown produce and our "chef", will reveal to you the ways in which these can be transformed into tempting dishes. We'll discuss what makes for healthy food, we'll visit local producers and will drop in at a nearby market.
We will also visit the delightful house in the middle of an olive grove which is home to Maryse, who will have a traditional dinner for you to enjoy, washed down with regional wines. A treat for both eyes and palate.
Le Festival d'Avignon (12-14 July 2013)
In Provence the summer period is also the time of many festivals. Avignon's is one of the most prestigious, renowned for its theatre and dance performances. Hundreds of events are in the festival programme, with street entertainment laid on in the city's shady squares and alleyways. During this time the city has a unique atmosphere. This is not to be missed if you enjoy culture and the arts festival experience. Friday and Saturday nights are spent at a hotel in Avignon.
Sur les traces de Pagnol (7- 8 September 2013)
This is the opportunity to get to know that part of Provence which inspired the writer Marcel Pagnol, a native of the region and author of Jean de Florette, Manon des Sources and many other books which have been made into films.. Our 'literary excursion' will take you to many of the places featured in his stories and films, including the back-country of Aubagne and Cassis and the old port of Marseille. There'll be the chance to explore the creeks along the Mediterranean coast and to take some appropriate 'pauses gourmandes' at meal-times. Saturday night in a hotel in the picturesque port of Cassis.
The special event of 2013 is "Marseille-Provence 2013, European capital of Culture". It replaces the undermentioned weekend options this year.
Randonnée
We'll take you out to walk the footpaths which snake their way across the countryside of high Provence. This isn't a strenuous hike, just a chance to enjoy the pleasure of discovering countryside whose beauty will take your breath away, of savouring the scents of wild rosemary, lavender and thyme, and afterwards of settling down with a refreshing drink on the terrace of a cafe in a typical Provencal village, just by the village fountain.
Aix-Cézanne
The landscapes around Aix-en-Provence deeply inspired the impressionist painter Paul Cezanne. You'll be able to discover this magical area, visit "l'atelier des Lauves", Cézannes workshop, his home "le Jas de Bouffon" and the renewed Granet museum in Aix. There will be the opportunity also just to spend time discovering this fine city. Saturday night is spent at a hotel in Aix.
