St. Rémy Hike: traces of Van Gogh in the Alpilles Mountains｜France

Leave the busy streets of Saint Rémy behind, and hike up the remote Alpilles Mountains!
The hike begins at Saint Paul de Mausole: a medieval monastery later converted into an asylum. Its most famous patient, Vincent Van Gogh, spent the last year of his life here. It was one of his most prolific periods of painting, including his Starry Night, among more than 150 paintings.
The hike begins directly behind the asylum, and heads towards the serrated limestone peaks. These mountains feature prominently in Van Gogh’s paintings while he was here. On an easy and shaded track, we’ll hike under the shade of cedar and pine, and we can discuss the local flora, fauna, and all aspects of this protected parkland.
Before long we’ll reach the ridge of the mountains, where the forest gives way to a carpeting of aromatic herbs, wildflowers, and boxwood. And the views are jaw-dropping! Though small in stature, the Alpilles Mountains sit above an otherwise flat Rhône Valley. From the crest, to the north, many of the regional mountain ranges are in view, including Mont Ventoux, and its barren summit. To the south, in the foreground, are the silvery-grey olive groves, creating a pattern of dots in the foothills. Beyond, the vast expanse of the Camargue salt-flats extends to the Mediterranean Sea, often shinning in the distance. From a secluded summit we’ll also see the perched medieval village of Les Baux de Provence, thick stone walls camouflaged into the jagged limestone formations. It could be almost imperceptible if not for the tiny red flag atop the castle ruins.
After a long pause to absorb all of this, we’ll head back down towards the valley, using another route to return to Saint Rémy. We’ll pass beautiful villas adorned by cypress trees, and pass vineyards and olive groves along the way.