Our favorite painter is Vincent van Gogh, and following in his footsteps was a wonderful way to visit the French region of Provence. We took the time to research the area for places that inspired him. We could almost feel his presence as we walked around the psychiatric hospital in St Remy de Provence, where he went after he cut off part of his ear in Arles. An amazing artist, but a tortured soul.

St Remy is the village in our favorite painting, Starry Night, which Van Gogh painted during his time there.

Walking in his footsteps along the places he dearly loved to paint was a great way to explore this area. I can still hear Don McLean’s song “Vincent” in my head as I passed by many of his places he painted.

“Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer’s day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul”

“Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer’s day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul

Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colors on the snowy linen land

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they’ll listen now”

By Don McLean