In the Footsteps of Van Gogh: A Self-Guided Trail Through Provence’s Most Iconic Landscapes

Vincent van Gogh relocated from Paris to Provence in 1888, a time when the Impressionist era was drawing to a close and Post-Impressionism was emerging on the art scene. The painter had become disillusioned with city life, and he hoped to establish an artist’s community in the South of France.

He quickly became enamoured by the changing light, untamed landscapes and rich colours of Provence and found renewed artistic inspiration. The Dutch painter’s life here, however, was not without its challenges. Van Gogh encountered personal struggles, which included the infamous ear-severing incident and time spent in a psychiatric institution.

Despite these setbacks, this period of his life was his most productive creatively, and the names Van Gogh and Provence have since become intrinsically linked.

In this guide, we’ll follow the Van Gogh Trail to uncover the places he lived and the scenery and landmarks that inspired his works.

Arles

Van Gogh arrived in Arles in early 1888 and remained until the spring of 1889. He found joy in capturing scenes and people across the city, curating timeless and expressive Post-Impressionist paintings that could be understood by all.

Throughout Arles, Van Gogh reproductions are dotted along streets and in the parks where he painted. A great place to start your journey following the Van Gogh Trail is at Avenue des Alyscamps – the site of an ancient Roman necropolis. It is here, among the beautiful cypress trees and stone monuments, that he created four incredible “Alyscamps” artworks.

Next, head to Jardin d’été, another favourite haunt of the artist – an urban park where he would sit and paint on warm summer days.

Following his ear-cutting incident, Van Gogh visited the Old Arles Hospital on Place Felix-Rey in the city. Today, it’s a popular cultural centre, but art enthusiasts can still see the courtyard and rooms where he painted several works, including “Garden of the Hospital in Arles” and “Ward in the Hospital in Arles” in 1889.

A short walk away, Fondation Vincent Van Gogh tells the story of his life and work, and the nearby Roman arena is where the painting “Arena at Arles” was created in 1888.

Just five five-minute’ walk from the arena along the trail is Place Lamartine, where Van Gogh lived for a time in The Yellow House. While here, he painted “Sunflowers” and “The Bedroom”. Although his former home and studio no longer exist, the location still evokes strong imagery, and visitors can imagine sunflowers scattered in a vase on a wooden table or envisage his sparsely decorated room interior.

After sundown, venture to the banks of the river – the deep midnight blue hues and twinkling skies served as inspiration for “Starry Night Over the Rhone”.  Alternatively, enjoy a drink at Café van Gogh in Place du Forum – designed to resemble the setting from “Café Terrace at Night”, where Van Gogh once found inspiration.

For a deeper dive into his life and works, consider booking a private art tour in Arles. These guided experiences offer invaluable insights into the painter’s time in the city and bring each location along the Van Gogh Trail vividly to life.

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Following his time in Arles, Van Gogh moved to the nearby town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where he stayed from May 1889 until June 1890.

Visitors can pick up the Van Gogh trail here, meandering along Boulevard Mirabeau where he painted “The Road Menders” – a breathtaking work of deep earthen tones, yellows and ochres. Also, make a stop at Musée Estrine’s, Centre d’Art Presence, featuring an exhibition showcasing his life and works.

The main highlight of the Van Gogh trail in Saint-Rémy is Saint-Paul de Mausole – the Augustine monastery, where van Gogh went to recover from his mental health battles.

During the year he was there, he painted around 150 of his greatest pieces, many inspired by the views from his sanitarium window. They included what many deem to be his magnum opus, “The Starry Night”.

In addition to the above, “Women Picking Olives”, “The Irises” collection, “Almond Blossoms”, and “Wheatfield with Cypresses” were also created here. In letters to his brother Theo, Vincent professed that painting flowers and nature always evoked a sense of optimism, even during his darkest moments.

Several reproductions of his original paintings are on display in Saint-Paul de Mausole and in the gardens; and interested visitors can also visit his former room.

Les Baux and Les Alpilles

While he stayed at Saint-Paul de Mausole, Vincent van Gogh created a collection of paintings featuring the stunning Alpilles mountain range. The blossoming fruit trees, olive groves and rugged rock faces showcased his deep appreciation for the wonders of nature.

Some of his popular works from the series include “Champs pres des Alpilles” and “Olive Trees with the Alpilles in the Background”, dating to 1889.

When a new digital art centre – Carrières des Lumières opened in the hilltop village of Les-Baux in the Alpilles mountains in 2012, Van Gogh’s artworks were some of the first to grace their new display space.

Instead of a traditional art gallery, the artists’ paintings are cleverly projected onto the walls of a limestone quarry, creating a thoroughly immersive experience. The paintings move and change on the walls and floor, and displays are accompanied by music.

In 2025, Van Gogh’s art returns to Carrières des Lumières, on 11 evenings between July and late December. Art enthusiasts can see them alongside digital paintings by Cezanne, Vermeer and Les Orientalists.

General Provence Scenes

Provençal daily life is captured in almost all of Van Gogh’s local works. Walk in the artists’ footsteps, exploring local markets bursting with fresh lavender, flowers and regional produce. Sit in quaint pastel-hued cafes shaded by plane trees and feel time slow down. Visit the old Roman architecture of Arles, including its ancient amphitheatre, and Glanum in St-Remy.

Venture into the Luberon to visit the hilltop villages such as Bonnieux, Gordes and Roussillon, each offering sweeping views over the Provence countryside. These are the landscapes of his canvas – sunflower fields, olive groves, orchards and golden wheatfields.

For a change of pace, explore the nearby cities of Avignon, Marseille, or Aix-en-Provence – all rich in culture and history. Or head south to Saintes-Maries where Van Gogh painted charming cottages and fishing boats at sea.

Head for the Van Gogh Museum in the MuseumKwartier of Amsterdam. They display over 1000 pieces, including letters and sketches. Alternatively, check out the Kröller-Müller Museum tucked away in Hoge Veluwe National Park in Otterlo.

Travellers to Paris can see examples of his remarkable works at Musée d’Orsay, and those in London can visit the Courtauld Gallery or the impressive National Gallery.

Enthusiasts who live stateside will find Van Gogh’s revered artworks at The Met and the MoMA in New York.

In 2025, a temporary exhibition in Boston will focus on the rarely seen Roulin portraits from Van Gogh’s time in Arles. Additionally, fans of his work in Japan can see 30 chosen pieces that span his entire career in Osaka.

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In Provence, Van Gogh’s pain and brilliance merged for a short moment in time to create pieces that continue to captivate and move audiences. Every element of Provençal daily life found its way into his paintings, and when gazing at them, you can feel the emotion, the charge of light mixed with vivid colours and a deep appreciation for nature.

Although Vincent van Gogh’s story didn’t have a fairytale ending, our world is richer for his boundless creativity, and his time spent in Provence will never be forgotten.