Walking with Van Gogh
📍Saint Remy de Provence, France
Dress || Sneakers || Tote Bag || Sunhat
While researching for our trip to Provence, it felt like a big undertaking. It’s a large region that spans from the Southern Alps to resorts along the Mediterranean. I wanted to see as much as possible. A particular town that really spoke to me was the beautiful Saint Remy de Provence. Just south of Avignon, I knew it would be a perfect addition to our Provencal road trip. While there’s so much to see and explore in town, the most noteworthy attraction is the Van Gogh Walk.
Since I would list Vincent Van Gogh as my favorite artist, I was so excited to see the town and landscape that helped inspire so many of his works. Although the artist only lived here for a year, May 1889-May 1890, it’s where he painted over 150 canvases, including Starry Night. Along the Van Gogh Walk, you’ll find 19 markers that outline his career with prints of his most beloved works. The route takes you from the town center in Saint Remy de Provence to the Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole. A self-admitted patient for most of his year in town, this happened shortly after the infamous “ear” incident.
Interestingly, Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole is still a working hospital, but there are certain wings that you are free to explore. The cloisters and interior garden act as the resident art museum, with exhibitions rotating frequently. Many of these artists are local and directly inspired by Van Gogh’s work. Continue through the former monastery, up the narrow stairs, and you’ll find Van Gogh’s former bedroom. It had direct views of the lavender fields below, and Van Gogh could often be found painting there. Because the hospital was only half occupied in the summer of 1889, he was given an additional room on the ground floor to act as his studio.
From start to finish, our entire excursion took about an hour. The weather couldn’t have been prettier, and I protected myself from the sun with an oversized sunhat. As a lover of art, I’m so happy we made this detour to stand where Van Gogh stood. It was so powerful to see in person the cypress trees and swirling landscapes that make him a feature in every great art museum. If you stand and admire the scenery long enough, you may just begin seeing the world from a brand new perspective.
Sometimes travel is all about being on the go and adapting to the hustle of a city. In Saint Remy de Provence, it was a treat to slow down and really take the time to ‘stop and smell the roses.’ However, in Van Gogh’s case, it may be more about the irises.
Love from France,
Katie
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