This beautiful little city known as Les Baux-de-Provence located in the south of France boasts in its scenic views of mountains, rivers, and its cobble-stoned streets. It transports you back in time to the 12^th century due to its conservation of the city’s past.

This hidden gem offers delicious traditional food, a chateau that was built in the 10^th century which overlooks the city, and botanical gardens. Along the streets, local vendors promoted their handmade work such as soap, body care, home décor, wine, and candy. It is a very “antique” village and that is what makes it so special.

Even though this village attracts over a million tourists a year, there are only approximately 500 inhabitants. Homes could be seen every 100 meters away from each other. They conserve the land and the nature. It was a wonderful experience visiting such a small village, especially since I live in a big city. I became more grateful for the Earth itself and I was able to get a glimpse of what life was like in the past.

After, we headed towards Avignon, a much bigger city with a great historical past. Avignon is located in the south of France as well and is surrounded by the Rhone River. This city is better known for its Palais des Papes, which translates to the Popes’ Palace.

During the 14^th century, Rome was undergoing some difficulties and oppression which led to the Pope at the time, Clement V, to move to Avignon. This was where six successive popes lived from 1309 to 1377. We visited the palace and walked through the rooms where the Pope would host meetings, pray, and cook dinner.  We went up to the top of the palace, which overlooked the city and a beautiful view. Finally, we headed towards a small garden where we enjoyed barbe à papa (cotton candy).

This weekend trip was delightful, humbling, and joyful. It was amazing to be able to escape the stress of modern life and the rush of one’s schedule.

“A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.” – Paul Cezanne.

The Post-impressionist painter was born in the late 1800’s and highly impacted the transition of the art evolution during the 19^th century. Paul Cezanne was a French artist who was born and lived most of his life in Aix-en-Provence, France, a very colorful city located in the southeast of France just a few miles from the Mediterranean Sea. Aix-en-Provence has preserved Cezanne’s story and continues to embrace his achievement even years after his death. 

After a two-hour city tour, I witnessed plenty of beautiful water fountains found all throughout the city. The city was filled with Medieval architecture, bright clay-like buildings, and stone churches. We walked past the Ancien College Royal de Bourbon, a school founded by Henry IV in 1603 which Paul Cezanne was a student of. We came across the church of La Madeline, where Cezanne’s funeral was held. He died the 23^rd of October in 1906. The building that once used to be his home currently inhabits other locals.

Cezanne grew up with a passion to display his thoughts and emotions through art, something his father was against. Cezanne’s father was a successful man who had enough economic wealth to support his son, but he did not because his father wanted Cezanne to study law and become a lawyer. Some of his well-known artworks include Apples and Oranges (1900), The Lac d’Annecy (1896), and The Kiss of the Muse (1860).

Aix-en-Provence is currently a bright welcoming city. Locals are very friendly, and they encourage tourists to engage in the French culture. It is a diverse city containing stores and restaurants specializing in different cuisine and fashion such as Japanese and Italian.

The city center has a lot to offer. Street performers are out singing, dancing, or playing music. Local businesses sell original handmade soaps, jewelry, clothing, and food on the weekends. Aix-en-Provence specializes in a special treat known as Calissons, a chewy treat made from almonds and oranges. Aix certainly was one of the liveliest cities I have visited this semester.

Hello! My name is Daisy and I am pursuing a Philosophy major and a French minor. Due to this, it only seemed right to fulfill my academic requirements in none other, than France. I am a junior at The University of Massachusetts, Lowell and this is the first time I will be living outside of the United States.

If anyone is interested in studying abroad, I highly recommend starting right away as this is a long and tedious process. It’s very important to put into consideration whether the school you are attending will be able to transfer over the credits from your host university. Also, depending on the program, it may be required to obtain a visa. It may be necessary to speak with your professor and academic advisor.

Deciding to study abroad was a difficult choice simply because I would have to leave everything behind for a few months like my family and friends. I had to put on pause all the activities I currently partake in. There were a lot of sacrifices, but I know it will all be worth it in the end.

I began taking French lessons in middle school and continued throughout high school, and now college. I remember seeing the Eiffel Tower, small coffee shops, the Louvre, and many other French attractions in my French book. Slowly, I began falling in love with the French language and grammar. I began to enjoy learning about the French culture. While in college, I saw the opportunity to study abroad in France and I took it. The program I found will be focused on the French language and is the perfect program to help me pursue my French minor. I chose to live in a home-stay to immerse myself into the culture and to perfect my French.

I cannot wait to arrive to France and continue my academic journey with you all!