Provence: Van Gogh Day Trip from Avignon & Saint-Paul Entry

Summary

Walk Arles streets see Van Gogh’s café & Saint-Paul monastery

You’ll follow Van Gogh’s footsteps from Avignon to Arles’ Place du Forum and Café La Nuit, feel history at Espace Van Gogh, then pause in the quiet of Saint-Paul de Mausole where he painted some of his most famous works. With entry included and a local guide leading the way, expect moments that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, we almost missed the van because I couldn’t find my hat (the mistral wind is no joke here). Our guide, Luc, just grinned and said everyone loses something in Provence — “Van Gogh lost his ear, you lost your hat.” That set the tone. The drive out of Avignon was quick, but you could smell lavender even through the windows. Or maybe that was just my imagination running wild after reading too many letters from Vincent.

First stop: Arles. It’s not as polished as I expected — paint peeling off old shutters, locals arguing gently over coffee at Place du Forum. Luc pointed out Café La Nuit, yellow and stubbornly bright even on a cloudy morning. I tried to sketch it on a napkin while sipping bitter espresso (not my best work). You can actually stand where Van Gogh painted it. There’s something odd about seeing a place both frozen in a painting and alive with noise and cigarette smoke.

Espace Van Gogh used to be a hospital — now there are these reproductions scattered around the courtyard. The tiles are cool under your sandals and you can hear swallows darting overhead. We wandered through quietly; I caught myself whispering for no reason. Then Saint-Paul de Mausole in St-Rémy hit me harder than I thought it would. The walls are thick stone, cold even in June, and you see his room recreated just as he left it. I touched the window frame (maybe not allowed?) and felt this weird mix of peace and sadness looking out at those blue-green fields.

The ride back was mostly silent except for Luc humming some old chanson under his breath. I kept thinking about how much beauty can come out of restlessness — or maybe just how much you notice when someone like Van Gogh points it out first.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Van Gogh sites in Provence

• Discover Van Gogh painted sites
• See Café La Nuit painting
• Visit Espace Van Gogh reproductions
• Enter Saint-Paul de Mausole Monastery

Top questions

How long is the Van Gogh day trip from Avignon?

The tour lasts approximately 5 hours.

Is entrance to Saint-Paul de Mausole included?

Yes, entry to Saint-Paul de Mausole is included in the tour price.

Does this tour visit Café La Nuit in Arles?

Yes, you will see Café La Nuit at Place du Forum in Arles during the tour.

What kind of transport is used for this day trip?

The tour uses an air-conditioned minivan with 8 seats.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children under 4 years old are not permitted on this tour.

Is a guide included throughout the tour?

Yes, a driver/guide accompanies you for the whole experience.

Do I need to be physically fit for this tour?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended for travelers.

What’s included

Your day includes transport by air-conditioned minivan from Avignon, entry fees to Saint-Paul de Mausole monastery, plus all guiding throughout by a knowledgeable local who brings each stop to life before returning you to town at the end.