Hear the echoes of Vincent Van Gogh and Nostradamus in the storied village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence on this guided walking tour with free time. You’ll find this serene town nestled at the base of the northern slopes of the Massif des Alpilles, a craggy range of arid limestone mountains. Begin an approximately 45-minute walking tour of the charmed village, following winding, cobbled lanes that lead to fetching squares graced with sparkling fountains and venerable plane trees. You’ll learn that in 1889 and 1890 Vincent Van Gogh completed more than 150 paintings and sketches while receiving treatment here, and that the subject matters of many of those works of art, such as irises, can still be seen in the surrounding landscapes of wheat fields, olive groves and cypresses.
Consider the town’s other notorious citizen, the 16th-century French astrologer and enigmatic forecaster Nostradamus, whose modest house still stands on Rue Hoche. In graceful Saint-Martin Church, the largest building in town, admire the 14th-century bell tower and its restored organ, which boasts nearly 500 pipes. Appreciate time on your own to shop for antiques, browse the outdoor markets or linger over a meal as you contemplate Provence’s exceptional gifts.