From Avignon: Private Van Gogh Tour in Provence

After a 15 hours train journey, Van Gogh landed in Arles fleeing the cold weather of Paris. He was determined to put in application all the new techniques learned in Paris to the light and colors of Provence.

Start by strolling around the lively 7th century BC city of Arles and reach the 'Café Van Gogh' painted by him under the name of The Night Café, 1888. Enjoy the atmosphere around a cup of coffee before heading to the Rhone River embankment that inspired the Starry Night Over the Rhone, 1888 and the Van Gogh Bridge that inspired his painting Langlois Bridge at Arles, 1888, among other places that he eternalized on the canvas!  

Van Gogh also lived in a room in the 'Yellow House' (disappeared nowadays), he also shared this house with French painter Gauguin with whom he established a close friendship and painted side by side despite their differences in art beliefs. They frequented the beautiful sites that you can visit during your tour in Arles like the Arena (Amphitheatre) dating from 1 AD, the ancient theatre and its surrounding ruins as well as the 'Alyscamps', an antique Roman necropolis.

Not long after, the delirium took over Van Gogh's reason, he cut off his ear and was interned for mental disease in Arles' hospital that he painted under the name Garden of the Hospital in Arles (1888). To deepen the knowledge on Van Gogh's art you can visit the Van Gogh Foundation. 

After many crisis he went to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and decided to stay in the asylium of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, a beautiful medieval priory, considered a gem of Provençal Romanesque art, where he spent a year being treated. There, Van Gogh painted Irises, self-portraits, one of his most famous paintings and many views of the Alpilles mountain range. This is a very peaceful place where you can learn a lot about Van Gogh and get a sample of his life from the inside. Despite his mental health, this period was his most productive & successful time.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to take pictures of two remarkable and very well preserved Roman monuments of Provence dating from the 1st century BC: the Mausoleum and a Roman arch in the entrance of the ruins of the ancient city of Glanum. Finally, end your Van Gogh tour with a pleasant walk in the medieval town of Les Baux de Provence. A typical perched village completely pedestrianised!  All the charms of the Provençal villages are concentrated in the Baux de Provence: narrow rocky streets, lovely terraces, fountains, craft & souvenir shops, real must see in Provence!