“The future of Art is in the South [of France]” proclaimed Vincent Van Gogh, and the man sure knew what he was talking about. Provence, blessed with a unique light, wide-ranging colors and ever-changing landscapes, inspired no fewer than 200 of his paintings. Although he arrived in Arles in 1888 on a cold and snowy day, he immediately took to the town and the region, which he endlessly explored while painting numerous sceneries and portraits.
In 1889, after a violent quarrel with Paul Gauguin, which allegedly led him to cut the lower part of his left ear, Van Gogh decided to enter a psychiatric hospital near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Seclusion, however, did not tamper his momentum and he continued to tirelessly paint increasingly tortuous pictures of the nearby Alpilles mountain range as his mind was becoming more and more unstable.
If you wish to understand Van Gogh’s coup de coeur for Arles, NY Habitat has the right accommodation in Provence for you regardless of the size of your party.
-For medium to large groups, have a look at this Furnished 3-bedroom triplex – Arles – Historic Center (PR-915), right around the corner from the Roman theater, the Place du forum and next to the antique arena.
-Searching for an inconspicuous pied-à-terre? We have a charming Furnished studio – Arles – Historic Center (PR-1024) in a quiet cul-de-sac right in the middle of everything.
-If you’re a wild bunch of nature lovers yearning to experience the rugged Alpilles first-hand, staying in our Furnished 4-bedroom villa – Saint-Rémy (PR-420) with swimming pool is a must.
Further south and to the east, Aix-en-Provence remains forever associated with its native son and long-time resident Paul Cézanne. Therefore, you can easily wander around town from the schools he attended to the cafés he patronized, all the way to the Saint Pierre cemetery where he is buried. Once you’re done exploring, move on to the Granet museum, where you will be able to admire many of his works. For a full immersion though, nothing beats a visit to his workshop where you can almost feel the master’s presence while marveling at the breath-taking view on his beloved Sainte Victoire Mountain.
Another Provençal location that played a major role in Cézanne’s artistic evolution is the picturesque fishing village of L’Estaque, right outside Marseille, whose natural beauty could not fail to attract him as well as other notable impressionists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Georges Braque. There, Cézanne started to predominantly focus on landscapes, and many consider his depictions of the area’s changing light and passing seasons the high point of his career.
-If you’re planning a group visit to the quintessential cultural town that is Aix-en-Provence, rest assured that everybody will be able to fit in NY Habitat’s sprawling Furnished 7 Bedroom Rental in Aix en Provence, Provence (PR-1107).
-On a smaller scale, a large Furnished 1-bedroom loft – Aix-en-Provence (PR-549) with private entrance right downtown is another sure-fire way to enjoy your vacation.
On the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence, this 2 Bedroom Rental in the village of Luynes (PR-731) will give you all the advantages of country life with the proximity and convenience provided by the nearby city.
Have you ever been to Provence and experienced the same sense of wonder as these artists did? Would you care to share those impressions with us? Please Comment Below.
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