Van Gogh lovers planning to walk in his steps don’t want to miss a thing. If you’re planning a trip to one of Van Gogh’s old stomping grounds, then you might want to consider one of the many walking or biking tours available. Below we spotlight two of the many options:
1. Diverse Directions Cycling Tours offers 2 tours that bear Van Gogh’s name, the Vineyards & Van Gogh Circuit Tour and the Vineyards & Van Gogh Hub & Spoke Tour. On both of these tours, you will have the opportunity to visit Saint-Remy-de-Provence, where Van Gogh spent the final year of his life in the Saint-Paul de Mausole Asylum. Saint Remy is also home to the Estrine Museum and Van Gogh Interpretation Centre, which pays homage to Van Gogh by focusing on a different theme from his work each year, with photographic reproductions, an exhibition of letters and an audiovisual display.
You will also cycle the gorgeous countryside between Saint Remy and Arles the inspiration for more than 150 of Van Gogh’s paintings.
Of course, before moving to Saint Remy, Van Gogh lived in Arles another of the overnight destinations on the 2 tour itineraries. Here, with the assistance of the Arles Visitors Center, you can view several of the places featured in his wonderful works.
2. Provence Reservation Tours & Travel Packages offers the Van Gogh in Provence tour year round with English speaking guide services. This tour will take you to Saint Remy de Provence with a stop at St Paul de Mausole, the mental hospital where Van Gogh spent a year of his life. You will visit Les Baux de Provence a village with beautiful historical sites. A portion of the Van Gogh in Provence tour is a walking tour in Arles which will take you to several of the places painted by Van Gogh including his famous café. (Transportation is by air-conditioned minivan.)
Tours are a great way to explore Van Gogh’s world; many of the locations remain much as they were during his life. If you have the chance to participate in a Van Gogh tour, whether with a tour company or on your own, you should take advantage of it. There are not many opportunities to go back and visit the places where famous artists lived and worked.
