Provence

Van Gogh, a frantic, prolific artist

Van Gogh’s passion for Provençal light was, like Cézanne’s, all-consuming. His almost ‘carnal’ passion led him to paint with a frenzy at Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, in an attempt to cure his tormented soul.

As Aix-en-Provence prepares to pay tribute to Cézanne, on the hundredth anniversary of his death, it is a good time to remember just how great Provence’s influence was on Van Gogh’s painting as well. He discovered the Provençal light following a visit to Arles in February 1888, and moved away from the Impressionist movement to plunge himself into a brightly-coloured interpretation of the countryside he saw all around him. He loved everything about Provence: the mountainous landscape, villages, country scenes, people.... He also met the postman, Roulin, who became his friend and one of his favourite models. A prolific artist, he painted over 200 canvasses and completed about a hundred drawings. Among his most well-known paintings are: Les Alyscamps, Van Gogh’s bedroom in Arles and the Bridge at Langlois.

But the man himself suffered psychological problems and went through a series of crises. During one of these, following a break-up with Gauguin, he cut off his left ear and was admitted to the ‘Hôtel-Dieu’ hospital. He stayed there for five months before, having become an undesirable in Arles, he asked to be transferred to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Here, his painting served once more to exorcise his demons. For a year, between May 1889 and May 1890, he painted over 150 canvasses, glorifying the countryside of the Alpilles and of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

Today we can easily follow in the artist’s footsteps, even if all his paintings have now moved away from the region and into prestigious museums. In Arles, the ‘Espace Van Gogh’ in the former Hôtel-Dieu houses the media library and the town archives. The ‘Fondation Vincent Van Gogh’, in the Palais de Luppé (18th century), has a collection of works created as a tribute to the painter.

In Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the Hôtel Estrine is home to the ‘Centre d’Art Présence Van Gogh’, where there are permanent exhibitions. Finally, just a short distance away from the town centre, is the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole Hospital, which is open to the public and has a footpath around it, illustrating the tortured world of the famous Dutch painter.

La Cabro d’Or
Hotel and restaurant in the country
If you are seeking an elegant country stopover on the way to the Oustau de Baumanière, you will be enchanted by the pure simplicity and the ambience of total liberty at La Cabro d’Or. Set amidst luxuriant foliage overlooking a landscape of olive trees, its comfortable rooms open onto an exceptional garden. The Mediterranean cuisine draws its inspiration from regional products and the hotel garden’s herbs and vegetables. ...Read more
France, Les-Baux-de-Provence

Villa Gallici
Hotel and restaurant in town
This country house overlooking Aix is bathed in the soft Provençal light so often depicted by Cézanne. Set amidst an elegant Florentine garden, where cypress trees are reflected in a luxurious pool, it offers sumptuous rooms with terraces and private gardens. Linger over an aperitif in the shade of the plane trees, then savour traditional Provençal cuisine accompanied by the finest Bordeaux, Burgundy and Aix wines. ...Read more
France, Aix-en-Provence

Le Prieuré
Hotel and restaurant in a village
In the heart of the medieval town of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon with its aromatic «priest’s» garden and climbing wisteria, the Prieuré has a rare charm. Taken over by Jean-André Charial, the creative force behind the Maisons de Baumanière, enhanced by the decor of Geneviéve Charial, the old monastery is experiencing a renaissance: more space, more light, an extended terrace sheltered from the mistral wind… As for the cuisine, it reinvents every day a menu full of Mediterranean flavours. ...Read more
France, Villeneuve lez Avignon

Le Mas des Herbes Blanches
Hotel and restaurant in the country
The Mas, almost a village in itself, pays tribute to the ancient Bories dry-stone hut building technique. On the heights of Joucas, tucked away in an isolated 5-hectare park, you will delight in a unique view of Luberon. All the rooms come with a terrace, balcony or private garden. The restaurant, with its panoramic terraces, offers Mediterranean cuisine and a wine list brimming over with Côtes du Luberon wines. ...Read more
France, Gordes

Château de Montcaud
Hotel and restaurant in the country
The buzz of local festivals fades into the background in this haven of wellness and light. Guests enjoy calm, serene days lounging by the pool, playing tennis or strolling through the rose garden. Tastefully decorated rooms open onto a peaceful park. The dinner, served on the patio of a charming «mas» when the weather permits, pays tribute to the sea and the Provençal markets. Excellent Côtes du Rhône. ...Read more
France, Sabran

Oustau de Baumanière
Relais Gourmand Restaurant ‘Relais Gourmand’ and hotel in the country
Baumanière is one of those truly exceptional settings that perfectly reconcile tradition and modernity. The legendary welcome and the luminous rooms immerse you in the contrasting Alpilles landscapes. Jean-André Charial, whose pure poetry is in pursuit of the utmost perfection, is the mythical narrator in the Baux region. The «œuf de poule au fumet de truffes noires» ranks alongside revisited classics. Exceptional wine cellar. ...Read more
France, Les-Baux-de-Provence

Le Petit Nice-Passédat
Relais Gourmand Restaurant ‘Relais Gourmand’ and hotel on the seafront
From the women in the family whom he watched as a child to the master chefs who taught him his trade, one thing is sure: Gérald Passédat’s cuisine is southern. His favourite dish is, of course, the «bouillabaisse», light and zephyr-like without a trace of fat. By reducing the bouillon he creates the impression of eating the very best from the sea! The rooms flooded in blue prolong the magic of dinner with a sea haze. ...Read more
France, Marseille

Hostellerie Le Phébus
Hotel and restaurant in the country
Here in the Luberon, between Gordes and Roussillon, in the heart of the Garrigue, the cuisine and the atmosphere have a Mediterranean flavour. A dry-stone residence in a 4-hectare park, erected over remains dating back to the Templars, offers its guests beautiful rooms full of the colours of Provence, some with a private swimming pool. Xavier Mathieu conjures up creative culinary delights full of Mediterranean flavours. ...Read more
France, Gordes

Abbaye de Sainte Croix
Hotel and restaurant in the country
This magnificent XIIth century abbey, set amidst gardens of lavender and rosemary, has been lovingly restored and the monks’ cells converted into luxury suites and guest rooms. You will be enchanted by the superb Romanesque architecture, the beautiful vaulted ceilings and the delightfully rustic furniture. Dine on the restaurant’s panoramic terrace and savour Provençal cuisine and excellent local vintages. ...Read more
France, Salon-de-Provence

Le Vieux Castillon
Hotel and restaurant in a village
Between Nîmes and Avignon, close to the Cévennes national park, the Camargue and the Alpilles, this hilltop hamlet offers breathtaking vistas of the Ventoux valley. With its magnificent patios, renaissance architecture and honey-coloured stone terraces set in the heart of a Provençal village, Le Vieux Castillon is a truly unique domain. Enjoy musical evenings, sun-drenched cuisine and an exceptional selection of wines from the Rhône valley. ...Read more
France, Castillon-du-Gard


Check availability

Check-in date Calendar


Check availability

Central reservation office (United States)

+1 800 735 2478*

Calling from another country ? Click here