Vincent Van Gogh at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Vincent Van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of art. In just over a decade he created about 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, many of them in the last two years of his life.

Saint-Paul-de-Mausole lies just outside of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, about one hour southwest of Sablet. Mentioned on several occasions by Nostradamus, who was born nearby and knew it as a Franciscan convent, it was originally an Augustinian priory dating from the 12th century and converted into an asylum in the 19th century.

…Continue reading here for Michel’s photos of their visit to this asylum where Vincent Van Gogh spent a full year (1889-1890). He arrived at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole from Arles, where had suffered from severe depression, reaching a climax when he cut off his ear. It is believed he might have self-inflicted the injury to gain acceptance into the asylum. His time in St Remy was productive he produced 150 paintings and 100 sketches.

While you are in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, pick up a map from the tourist office and follow the “footsteps” of Van Gogh to see the places that he painted around the town. You can see 21 illustrated panels of his work.

Saint-Paul de Mausole
Chemin Saint-Paul
13210 Saint-Rémy de Provence
Tel:  +33 (0)4 90 92 77 00

About Saint Rémy’s History

As weeks passed and I found out more specifics about the segment, I realized my less-than-stellar French skills were not my only problem. Though the director was interested in my St. Rémy, he wanted to include the city’s rich history and patrimoine, heritage. Yikes, I had some general knowledge about Nostradamus, St. Rémy’s most famous native son, the Roman ruins of Glanum and Les Antiques, and so on, but I didn’t know enough to make coherent, factually correct comments. Obviously, I’d be spending time with Monsieur Wikipedia. And, after nearly seven years in Saint Rémy, it was time to rent the audio tour from the tourist office. Nothing like the promise of public humiliation to jump-start an education. Continue reading to understand what Gayle discovered about Saint Rémy’s history.