Language
Currency
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a typical Provencal town in the South of France, in the Bouches-du-Rhône. The birthplace of Nostradamus, a 16th-century astrologer, is a place of history and culture chosen as a destination by many celebrities who come here to recharge their batteries. Provence has inspired many famous painters and the small town is no exception. It attracted many celebrities, painters and musicians in the 19th century. The most famous of the artists that these large green spaces and landscapes have inspired is Vincent Van Gogh. If you are planning to spend two or three days in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, this is what you should not miss.
>>> Discover villas in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Van Gogh stayed at the monastery of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence for almost a year between 1889 and 1890. This period is considered a major period in the work of the artist, who painted more than a hundred paintings from his room there. The landscapes of this small village in Provence inspired some of his most famous paintings such as "La Nuit Étoilée" and "Champ de Blé au Faucheur".
The town's tourist office created a circuit in 2003, on the 150th anniversary of Van Gogh's birth, to follow in the artist's footsteps. On this route through the town, you will find 20 plaques with explanations on sites related to Van Gogh. This activity will allow you to discover the places that inspired the artist while enjoying the charm of the city as you stroll through its streets. Usually, this discovery lasts between 1 and 2 hours and leaves you plenty of time to do other activities.
You will be amazed by the richness of the fauna and flora. The natural area is home to about a hundred protected animal species and you will find typical plants of the region such as cypresses. It is a very popular place for nature lovers, you can walk along many hiking trails, climb the Jan Jan wall or play golf. The massif is also home to Lake Peiroou, an artificial lake with an arch dam. Nestled in the heart of cliffs, it is the ideal place to relax and admire the view in this haven of peace.
After having fully enjoyed the activities that the massif has to offer, you can indulge in the local gastronomy. Feel free to enjoy a glass of wine at the Domaine de Lagoy which is located in the Alpilles Regional Park. In addition, there are several wine estates in the town.
Classified as a regional natural park, it is therefore protected and regulated, so it is important to find out more before you go through this green area.
Situated at the gates of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence are the remains of the ancient city of Glanum with Greek and Roman influences. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence has existed for nearly 2000 years but Ganum is even older. Excavations in the 20th century have provided a better understanding of its history and led to the discovery of religious and civil monuments in 1921. At the entrance, you can admire "Les Antiques", consisting of the Mausoleum of Glanum and the Triumphal Arch of Glanum. In addition, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the region's landscapes from the belvederes.
This monastery, which has housed a psychiatric clinic since the 16th century, is famous for hosting Van Gogh. This place is part of the route in the artist's footsteps, so you can stop for a visit there. It is possible to visit the premises, one-room houses a reconstruction of the room where he was interned and you can look out of the same window through which he looked out over the wheat fields. It is also possible to visit an art gallery run by the art therapy association Valetudo as well as a shop. Take a walk in the middle of the garden and discover the Romanesque cloister of the monastery, located near the site of Glanum.
You can get there by train, plane or car. The city of Avignon is less than 20 kilometres away and has a TGV train station and an airport. A little further away, you will find the same facilities in Nîmes and Marseille.
>>> Discover luxury villas in France
10 (12 max.)
5
5
20
10
8
