Auvers-Sur-Oise, Sightseeing With Van Gogh

Which are the most beautiful villages in Ile de France? We would say that there is no right or wrong answer since there are so many pretty towns around Paris. Although many people would agree that Auvers-sur-Oise is on their top list.

Auberge Ravoux, in Auvers-Sur-Oise

The Auberge Ravoux, where Vincent Van Gogh spent the last days of his life

Vincent Van Gogh described Auvers-sur-Oise as ‘Seriously beautiful’ in his correspondance with his beloved brother Théo. Located 30km from Paris, the small town is peaceful and yet, can still count on a very dynamic local population. In other times, this charming green hamlet also seduced impressionist painters, such as Daubigny, Cézanne and Pissarro, who came here to draw inspiration from this picturesque destination.

A picturesque façades of Auvers-Sur-Oise

One of the many picturesque façades of Auvers-Sur-Oise

When we visited the village again last summer, we of course couldn’t miss Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, immortalised by Vincent van Gogh in the year of his death, looking at the church from the exact same point of view where van Gogh stood; as well as the quiet cemetery where the artist lies next to his brother and covered by ivy and wild flowers.
Van Gogh spent around 80 days in Auvers-Sur-Oise before committing suicide.

Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, main church of Auvers-Sur-Oise

Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, the main church of Auvers-Sur-Oise immortalised by Vincent Van Gogh

The graves of Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Théo Van Gogh

The graves of of Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Théo Van Gogh in the cemetery of Auvers-Sur-Oise

We do like it here because the village refuses to become a tourist only spot and resists very well. Don’t hesitate to pay a visit, especially off the peak season !

Even though they were closed when we were there, you shouldn’t forget to have a look at the Daubigny Museum, presenting the works by Charles-François Daubigny, but also by Chirico, Daumier and photographs by Lartigue (among others), and of course, to have a sip at many an Impressionist’s guilty friend – absinthe! – in the Musée de l’Absinthe, the only museum in the world dedicated to this drink.

The field where Van Gogh painted his very last painting

The field where Van Gogh painted his very last painting before committing suicide


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