Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a picture-perfect, charming Provencal city stuffed with beautiful structure, a lot artwork, and an extended historical past. It’s an exquisite place to go to when you’re an admirer of Vincent van Gogh as a result of it’s the place he spent a 12 months of his life and created a few of his most well-known work. There’s something fascinating to find on its each nook. To make planning your journey a bit simpler, right here is the Tradition Vacationer’s information on what to see in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
What to See in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Whereas strolling via the Saint-Rémy’s slender cobbled streets, you’ll be able to really feel the city’s lengthy historical past going again to the Prehistory. Round each nook, you’ll odor the lavender and Herbes de Provence coming from quite a few small outlets. The home windows and doorways of its light-painted homes are colored purple, inexperienced and blue. Infrequently, you’ll discover a picturesque sq. across the nook, excellent to take a seat and revel in a glass of lemonade or a rosé wine.
When to Go to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is gorgeous at any time of the 12 months, however my recommendation could be to go to in spring or autumn. The character is vibrant and delightful then, with quite a few flowers and varied shades of inexperienced bushes. Nonetheless, you’ll additionally keep away from the colder winter and busy summer season months. I visited it in each spring and autumn and loved the attractive climate throughout my visits.
⤷ TIP: When you can, go to it on Wednesday as a result of that is when the farmers market is organised within the metropolis centre.
Vincent van Gogh in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Vincent van Gogh’s life and artwork are strongly linked to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, making it an unmissable place to go to for anybody within the life and work of that well-known painter. After an ear incident on the finish of 1888, Van Gogh left Arles and went to the asylum for folks with psychological well being points in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. That’s the place he spent a 12 months of his life and the place he painted a few of his most well-known artworks, like, for instance, The Starry Night time (which is exhibited on the MoMA Museum in New York as we speak).
⤷ Learn extra: Artwork Historical past Lesson – Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh Stroll in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
To expertise Saint-Rémy-de-Provence via the eyes of Vincent van Gogh, stroll alongside the Van Gogh Stroll. It’s a path connecting the Estrine Museum and the Monastery Saint-Paul-de-Mausole. You’ll recognise it by the metallic markings on the street with the phrase Vincent written on them.
Alongside the best way, you’ll move subsequent to 19 boards with reproductions of Van Gogh’s artworks. It’s so attention-grabbing to match his work with the panorama that impressed them and discover so many similarities in them.
Saint-Paul-de-Mausole
The final cease of the stroll is the previous Medieval monastery, Saint-Paul-de-Mausole. Changed into a psychological hospital, it’s a spot the place Van Gogh stayed between Could 1889 and Could 1890. It’s nonetheless used as a hospital for folks with psychological well being points. Nonetheless, part of it was become a small museum devoted to its historical past and the time the well-known painter spent there. You possibly can go to a room which can present you ways the house the place Van Gogh stayed regarded like.
Probably the most stunning a part of it’s the backyard of the hospital. Stuffed with fragrant Provencal herbs and varied vegetation, it was a supply of inspiration for a lot of of Van Gogh’s work.
⤷ Learn extra: Vincent van Gogh Places in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Museums in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Estrine Museum
Positioned within the 18th-century constructing, the Estrine Museum is the place you’ll be able to study extra concerning the well-known post-Impressionist painter on the Van Gogh Artwork Centre. It’s an artwork historical past museum, with a bit devoted to a different artist linked to that French city, Albert Gleize. Nonetheless, you’ll additionally get an opportunity to see attention-grabbing momentary artwork exhibitions there.
Alpilles Museum
Positioned within the Renaissance mansion, the Alpilles Museum explores arts, crafts and native traditions of the area round Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. You possibly can study extra concerning the dinosaurs that roamed that space thousands and thousands of years in the past, concerning the Nostradamus’ prophecies, and the life within the area.
One in every of my favorite discoveries in that museum was typical pottery from the nineteenth century, the identical one you’ll be able to see in Van Gogh’s Sunflowers.
Centre for Historic Archaeology – Hôtel de Sade
The archaeological museum in Saint-Rémy was initially a spot the place the thermal baths was once within the 4th century AD. That is the place to go to study extra concerning the archaeological findings in and round Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, particularly in Glanum (extra about it in a bit).
⤷ TIP: You possibly can go to it without spending a dime on the primary Sunday of the month between October and April.
Different issues to do in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Glanum Archaeological Park
Based within the third century BC, Glanum was once an vital Celtic and Roman settlement. Its ruins had been found within the early twentieth century. It was an vital city within the Antiquity situated on the intersection of the foremost roads. At the moment, you’ll be able to see the stays of its temples, homes, the sewage system, and the sacred spring. It’s well-marked with explanations of the stuff you’ll see, making life in a type of historical cities extra comprehensible.
You possibly can climb the little hill simply subsequent to it from which you’ll have an excellent overview of the archaeological park and the character surrounding it. Remember to verify their museum store for some attention-grabbing books and beautiful souvenirs. We purchased some Asterix and Obelix comedian books throughout our go to, to remain inside the theme 🙂
The archaeological park is dwelling to a cute little cafe from the place you’ll have a pleasant view of the ruins whereas sitting within the shade of a tree having fun with your café au lait.
⤷ Learn extra: 20 Archaeological Websites You Must Go to in Europe
Les Antiques
Positioned simply exterior the doorway to the Glanum Archaeological Website are two monuments from the Previous Roman time, the mausoleum and the triumphal arch. The latter is the oldest triumphal arch in France. You don’t must pay an entrance ticket to see them, and it’ll solely take you a couple of minutes to go to these two monuments. Get nearer to them and discover all the small print you’ll be able to spot on these fascinating websites.
⤷ TIP: Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, Glanum and Les Antiques are situated subsequent to one another, and it’s straightforward to go to all three of them collectively. My recommendation is to go to these three within the morning, have a lunch break, and proceed exploring the websites within the centre of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence then.
Farmers market in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Every Wednesday between 7 am and 1 pm, the town centre of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence turns into an exquisite farmers market. It’s not solely the place you should buy varied meals produce, but in addition native cosmetics Provence is world well-known for, arts and crafts. I purchased a watercolour exhibiting the Provencal panorama the primary time I visited it, and it made an excellent memento from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
You should purchase some good cooked meals, like paella there. Nonetheless, when you’d wish to deliver an edible memento again dwelling with you, jars of honey or jam might be a pleasant choice, too.
⤷ TIP: Stand up early if you wish to go to the market. It tends to get very crowded later within the morning.
Nostradamus Beginning Home
A well known French doctor, astrologer and apothecary, Nostradamus, was born in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Though he labored exhausting in direction of discovering a remedy for the plague, he’s greatest recognized as we speak for his work “Les Prophéties“, revealed in 1555.
You possibly can nonetheless see the home through which he was born within the city centre, making it an attention-grabbing website to place in your checklist of what to see in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
⤷ Learn extra: The Most Attention-grabbing European Myths & Legends
Artwork Outlets & Galleries
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is dwelling to many artwork galleries and small outlets promoting paintings from native and worldwide artists. Whereas wandering across the city centre you’ll locate lots of them. A few of them are organising nice momentary exhibitions or promoting the work of incredible artists. So reserve a while throughout your go to to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence to discover these artwork gems inside the city.
⤷ Learn extra: 7 High Artwork Museums in Europe
A visit to the Alpilles Mountains
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is situated proper on the foothill of the magnificent Alpilles Mountains. In case you are in good bodily form, lease a bicycle within the city centre and spend a while exploring the attractive nature of them. You can even go on a bit of mountaineering journey in them, selecting the trail by your private choice.
⤷ Learn extra: Lovely Small Cities You Ought to Go to in France
Find out how to get to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
By prepare: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is situated some 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) from Avignon TGV station. It’s a quick prepare service connecting it with Paris in a bit lower than three hours. You can even get there by prepare from Marseilles.
By aircraft: The closest worldwide airport is in Marseilles. You possibly can fly there and catch a prepare, a bus or lease a automotive and drive to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence from there.
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a real gem of Provence and an exquisite place to go to in France. It’s additionally a must-see place for Vincent van Gogh admirers and an exquisite location for anybody in search of a tranquil and enjoyable small city to discover in Provence.
