Free walking tours in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and what to see

Must-sees

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a small town at the foot of the Alpilles, between Avignon and Arles. On the outskirts is Glanum, a Gallo-Roman town of Greek origin whose ruins, run by the Centre des monuments nationaux, preserve temples, baths, the forum and entire streets. Right opposite stand Les Antiques, a Roman mausoleum and arch you can see for free from the road.

Very close by is the monastery of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, with its Romanesque cloister, where Van Gogh was a patient in 1889 and 1890 and painted many of his best-known works. You can see a reconstruction of his room and the fields he painted. In the centre, ringed by plane-tree boulevards, there are lanes, squares with fountains and the Musée Estrine, devoted to modern art, with a space on Van Gogh. Saint-Rémy is also the birthplace of Nostradamus.

Free tours and guided visits

Saint-Rémy has no regular free walking tours. What you can book is a ticket for the Glanum site, which you explore on your own. To follow in Van Gogh’s footsteps, the town has a signposted route with panels at the places he painted, between the centre and the monastery. Many Provence day trips from Avignon or Arles include Saint-Rémy together with Les Baux-de-Provence.

How long to spend

In a full day you can see Glanum, Les Antiques, Saint-Paul-de-Mausole and the centre at a relaxed pace. With two or three days you can use Saint-Rémy as a base to explore the Alpilles, go up to Les Baux-de-Provence, walk among the olive groves and visit Avignon or Arles, both less than half an hour’s drive away.

Where to stay

The most convenient place to stay is inside or next to the ring of boulevards, with small hotels and guesthouses and everything within walking distance. On the outskirts and towards the Alpilles there are plenty of mas, Provençal farmhouses with pools and gardens, ideal if you are driving. For more choice and better connections, Avignon is about 20 kilometres away.