Saint Rémy de Provence - Van Gogh, Nostradamus and Roman ruins

The Starry Night - Van Gogh

Van Gogh spent a year outside of the city of Saint Rémy de Provence.  It was at the Saint-Paul Asylum that Van Gogh painted The Starry Night.  He admitted himself to the asylum where he could enjoy the light of Provence and find the serenity he needed. During his year in the asylum with the nuns and nurses he completed over 200 pieces of art.  The Starry Night is one of his most famous works.  Saint Rémy and its surroundings inspired Van Gogh and the fields and stars still inspire many artists today.

As we walked into the city, we came across this lovely fountain and bust with a plaque dedicated to Nostradamus. When I was a kid, there was a television program that told us about the predictions of Nostradamus.  Thinking about that television show, it kind of reminds me of the Aztec calendar or the Y2K predictions.  I was surprised to see that there was actually a Nostradamus, a real flesh and blood person.  Michel de Nostredam was born in Saint Rémy de Provence in 1503. Nostradamus, as he was later called, became famous for his almanacs and his books of predictions.  People came from long distances to have Nostradamus give an astrological reading and his books became best sellers of the time.  

Saint Rémy was once a walled city.  Although the walls are no longer standing, there are still "portes" or gates at the entrance to some of the streets.  Inside the old city, the streets are narrow and filled with lots of architectural reminders of its past.  The door on the left, originally the Lubières Mansion, is the entrance for "la Masion de l'Amandier" - The Almond Tree House. 

There are many fountains to visit in the city.  My child likes to get her hands and feet wet in almost every fountain!  The fountain on the left is located in la Place Favier. This Lovely

square has restaurants and beautiful shade trees.  The fountain on the right is located in a little square surrounded by shops and cafés. 

The "Hôtel de Ville" or city hall is located on a square in the center of the old town.  Shaded by large Platane trees, this place is home to many restaurants and shops.  

The fountain in the square in unique as well, it has four dolphins squirting water.  

There is a ton of shopping and eating to do in Saint Rémy!  There are art galleries and food shops selling local products. Sophia bought earrings made of recycled plastic in a awesome jewelry store. There are plenty of stores selling cute and useless stuff too.

This store had pedal cars like the one I had when I was a kid.

These "rocks" are made of felted wool. 

Triumphal Arch

The Antiquities or Roman ruins are just a few minutes outside of the old city.   The triumphal arch and the mausoleum are two beautiful Roman monuments from the first century BC.   The arch was constructed to celebrate the fall of Marseille.  The mausoleum was erected to honor Caïus and Lucius César, the grand sons of the emperor Augustus. 

Mausoleum

Unfortunately, it started pouring and we decided against visiting Glanum, the Gallo-Roman ruins.  There is so much to see in Saint-Rémy.  There are so many influences from the past around every corner in the town.  Enough about Saint Rémy, check in next week for the bauxite quarries and the medieval, hilltop fortress of les Baux de Provence.