Memoirs de Vincent

St. REMY-DE-PROVENCE

At a glance

Just a few kilometers south of St Remy de Provence near the hospital where Vincent Van Gogh spent his last days, is a delightful small cottage sitting in the middle of picturesque Roman ruins!

With the ruins as a backdrop to the large front garden, the house is of fairly recent construction but built entirely of old materials.  It is very appealing, with a large terrace running across the font of the house bordered by a low stone wall and furnished with table, chairs and sun umbrella.

Entry to the house is directly into the living room at the centre. It is a light and spacious room with windows to the garden and bright and colourful furnishings. To one side there are a few steps up to a twin bedroom and a small bathroom with WC and wash basin. The main bedroom is towards the rear of the house and has a queensize bed. There is a full bathroom with tub and shower.

On the other side of the living room, down a few steps, is the dining room which in turn leads to the kitchen, both opening to the front of the house and with access to the terrace. The large kitchen is well-equipped with a 4-burner gas stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, toaster, American coffee maker and kettle. Off the kitchen is the laundry with washer and dryer.

In this peaceful charming place there is no pool and no television, but the surrounding area offers fascinating excursions.

Close by is St Paul de Mausole, where Van Gogh spent his last days and a walking route illustrating the works of the famous artist, each one on the very spot where he painted them around St Remy.

Glanum, a few hundred meters away, is one of the most important Roman archeological sites in Provence. Founded in 300 BC, it reveals a civilization that influences life here even today.

You can see thermal baths, an avenue of houses, the temple and the natural spring, and the remains of a Gallo-Roman town dating 30-10 BC. On the road leaving Glanum, are the ancient Arc de Triomphe and Les Antiquities, the gateway to Glanum, standing as they have since that time.

From there it is only a short drive through the hills to Les Beaux, an ancient village perched high on the rocks, once one of the most celebrated and brilliant of the troubadour courts of love in the Middle Ages, now romantically ghostly.

The villa is also at the centre of the Baux de Provence and Côteaux d'Aix vineyards and not far from Château Neuf du Pape.

Distances: Airports Marseille International is only eighty kilometres, Avignon is twenty kilometers. The main road Paris/Saint Rémy is six hours. Rail station in Avignon (TGV Paris/Avignon) is two hours and forty-five minutes and twenty kilometers.

Rentals are from Friday to Friday.