They’re not in order of importance, they’re all equally as great!

1. Arles, France (1888 – 1889)

Located in the southern part of France, in the Provence region, Van Gogh had some of his most prolific years in Arles (pronounced ARL). When he lived in Arles, Van Gogh painted an astonishing 187 paintings. During that time, he tried to set up an artist commune with fellow artist, Paul Gauguin, at the Yellow House. While they had a couple of months of painting, drink and general fun loving male bonding, an argument erupted between the two of them, which resulted in two things: Gauguin leaving Arles (never to see Vincent again), and van Gogh horrifyingly cutting off his own ear (on December 23, 1888). Yes, all of that took place in what is otherwise, an extremely delightful village in southern France.

While the Yellow House no longer exists (it was destroyed during WWII), one of the famous van Gogh sites you can visit in Arles is the Yellow Cafe. The Yellow Cafe (now Le Cafe Van Gogh) is located in the Place du Forum in Arles. The painting, actually entitled Café Terrace at Night, was the first time van Gogh had painted stars in a night sky. The painting itself is located in the Kroller-Muller Museum in the Netherlands (which we’ll get to).

Besides the Café Terrace (or Yellow Cafe), to follow in the footsteps of van Gogh in Arles, the tourism authority has a Van Gogh self-guided walking tour which takes you to spots which inspired or are depicted in his paintings. Although I did this many moons ago in 2008 (hence the lack of photos), I can say that this Van Gogh self-guided walking tour is incredible.

Or, if you’d like a private walking tour of Arles that covers both Van Gogh and Roman sites, there are options for those as well.

Another place worth mentioning in Arles, is now called L’espace van Gogh – the town’s library and exhibition space, with souvenir shops. 130 years ago, when Van Gogh lived in Arles, this location was the town’s hospital. Van Gogh stayed in this hospital several times during his time in Arles, but most famously after he cut of his ear. The inner courtyard is maintained to look similar to his painting – Garden of the Hospital in Arles.

Entry to L’espace van Gogh is free, except for exhibitions.

On May 8, 1889, Van Gogh left Arles, to check in to the asylum in Saint Remy de Provence. Good segway.

2.  Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France (1889 – 1890)

After Van Gogh left Arles, he voluntarily checked into the asylum called Monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole, which is located 1.5 km south of the village of Saint-Remy-de-Provence. A former monastery, during Van Gogh’s time, it was a “lunatic asylum.” I use that word in quotes because that’s how they referred to it during that time. Van Gogh spent about one year in Saint-Paul de Mausole, where he painted 142 paintings.

On your visit to Saint-Paul de Mausole (website in French only), you can see the room that Van Gogh stayed in. It’s a somber place to visit, given all that he must have endured while there. Tickets are 6.50 EUR.

If you happen to visit Saint-Paul de Mausole mid-June to mid-August, yo’ll be in time for lavender season. The monastery has a beautiful lavender field surrounding the location. I went in early October, too late for purple fields.

Van Gogh painted his famous Starry Night (1889) during his time at the asylum in Saint-Remy-de-Provence. The window of his room faced east, and the painting depicts the view a fictional village just before sunrise. The painting is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Saint-Remy-de-Provence also has a Van Gogh self-guided walking tour to follow, which highlights some of the locations of his famous cyprus tree and olive tree paintings.

Alternatively, be guided around Provence from Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, or Marseille and bask in the picturesque countryside.

A scene from Saint-Remy-de-Provence area, where Van Gogh lived between 1889-1890.

Before we move on from Provence, if you’re a fan of art, consider visiting Carrières de Lumières, located in Les Baux-de-Provence (a 15 minute drive away). Carrières de Lumières is an indoor art installation, housed in an old stone quarry. Nowadays, you’ll see these Immersive Van Gogh Experiences in all the major cities. However, I can tell you that Carrières de Lumières is the original. Back in 2016 when I visited, there wasn’t anything like it in the world – and it’s phenomenal! While the Immsersive Van Gogh Experience focuses only on Van Gogh, Carrières de Lumières changes artists each season. When I went, it was Marc Chagall. Anyway, if you’re already visiting Van Gogh sites, I’d highly recommend this slight “artsy” detour.

3. Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, Netherlands

Located an hour and a half drive away from Amsterdam, hidden inside De Hoge Veluwe National Park, is the Kröller-Müller Museum. Honestly, most people haven’t heard of the Kröller-Müller Museum, but it is arguably one of the best Van Gogh sites to visit! It houses the largest private collection of Van Gogh paintings, and is the second largest Van Gogh collection in the world. It’s only second to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam!

The Kröller-Müller Museum is truly an incredible place, with 90 paintings and over 180 of Van Gogh’s drawings. While this is probably one of the least famous Van Gogh sites, I would highly recommend making the effort to visit – if you’re a true Van Gogh fan!

Adult tickets are 11.10 EUR.

Without a car, a visit to the Kröller-Müller Museum is doable but time consuming. I had a car hire and drove from Amsterdam (approximately 1 hour). Or consider taking a private tour from Amsterdam!

Evening Landscape with Rising Moon and detail. Painted during his time in Saint-Remy-de-Provence. Currently located in the Kröller-Müller Museum.

4. Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam, Netherlands

I’ve been to Amsterdam several times, and most of the time I visit, I’ll make it a point to stop at one of their great museums. Along with the Rijksmuseum and Moco Museum (Museum and Modern Art), the Van Gogh Museum is arguably one of my favorite places to visit in Amsterdam, and probably one of the most famous Van Gogh sites in the world. Having the largest collection of Van Gogh works, it’s really an absolute must! It’s wonderfully curated, and each time I’ve visited, I see new pieces and familiar pieces alike.

Tickets are 19 EUR and a time slot must be reserved in advance. But for you photo or instagram enthusiasts, photos are only allowed in select areas (i.e. the entry hall and selfie wall).

For those staying in Amsterdam for a few days, I highly recommend the I Amsterdam Card, which gives you access to public transport, bicycle rental, river cruises, and entry to over 70 museums (including free entry to the Van Gogh museum!). A 24-hour pass is 65 EUR and includes so much!

The following places are sites for the super Van Gogh fans, which I haven’t been to. So, they’re not included in my “Best of” list above, since I can’t attest to it. But far be it for me to deny crucial information on famous Van Gogh sites.

– Other Van Gogh Sites –

1. Birthplace (1853), Zundert, Netherlands – Vincent van GoghHuis – tickets 8 GBP
2. Home in 1883, Drenth, Netherlands – Van Gogh Huis Drenthe – tickets 6 EUR
3. Home 1879 – 1880, Cuesmes, Belgium – Maison Van Gogh – tickets 4 EUR
4. Home 1881, Etten-Leur, Netherlands (and his parents home from 1875-1882) – The Van Gogh Church in Etten – tickets 5 GBP.
5. Place of death, Auvers-sur-Oise, France

• For the last 70 days of Van Gogh’s life, he lived in Auvers-sur-Oise, a commune 27 km northwest of Paris. While living there, he stayed in Auberge Ravoux, as a lodger, where he painted 80 paintings and 64 sketches. He shot himself in the chest on July 27, 1890, and died two days later. The inn is now a museum and tourist site (tickets are 6 EUR). His room has been preserved, although none of the original furniture remains. Both Vincent and his brother Theo are buried in the cemetary in Auvers-sur-Oise, France.

Parting Thoughts on Visiting Van Gogh Locations

For avid Van Gogh fans, I think it’s really special to visit sites that are both important in his life, but also the museums that have helped to preserve his legacy. Van Gogh wasn’t famous or successful during his life, and it was only after his death that he grew in popularity. Since he led quite a tragic life, many of the sites in Arles and Provence are somber, melancholic even.

For those super fans and admirers of his work, Arles is the absolute must-visit. The Van Gogh self-guided walking tour is so surreal – walking along the same streets he did, seeing the same trees and rivers. That feeling can’t really be described. It’s incredible! Arles is definitely one of the famous Van Gogh sites worth visiting!

If you’re planning to do an all out road trip to visit Van Gogh locations, Tea, an art historian and travel blogger, has it all mapped out. Fun stuff! Check it out!

For those who love art, check out my other art themed posts:

• Alphonse Mucha and art nouveau in Brno, Czechia;
• national treasures at the Scottish National Galleries in Edinburgh;
• Visiting Giverny, Monet’s famous lily garden outside of Paris;
• and immerse yourself in digital art with the great artists, like Chagall and Van Gogh!

Until next time, stay curious and stay healthy!

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Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

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