History and Art in Arles - Van Gogh, International Photography Festival & Roman Architecture

Arles is a great destination for art-lovers. Vincent Van Gogh was famously a resident in Arles. He may have only spent about a year in the town, but it had a profound effect on him. 

 During his time here, he produced over 300 paintings and drawings - and it was here that he established the distinct post-impressionist style for which he is known. What was it about Arles that attracted Van Gogh? He loved the local landscape and the people who lived there and the vibrant colours produced by the bright Provencal sunlight.

You can visit many sites around Arles which actually inspired Van Gogh. There are 10 easels placed at the same vantage point of his original works. You can get a map at the Tourist Information office showing you where each easel is located -- or you could turn it into a bit of a scavenger hunt and try to find all 12 on your own!



You can also visit the Cafe which he frequented. It may be slightly over-priced, but it's worth it to grab a coffee and bask in the atmosphere which drew Van Gogh to the establishment.



There's more to Art in Arles than the legacy of Van Gogh, however! 

The city is also famous for a fantastic international Photography Festival which has run every summer since 1971. The Festival is opening this weekend (Saturday, July 3rd, 2010) and running until mid-September. You can find out more at this website (available in English - click the British Flag at the top of the main page). There are also several museums which are worth a visit. The Arles Folk Museum is particularly interesting, providing an insight into the tradiitons and culture of the region.

As well as being a cultural centre, Arles is also an important historical city. The Roman architecture is beautiful and many of them have now been World Heritage Listed. In many cases these remains have been well preserved. In fact, even after 2,000 years, the amphitheatre is still in use today! During the summer months it hosts bullfights, and it is open for tours all year. The bullfights are definitely a must-see. They often have Provençal-style bullfights at the arena -- those who are uneasy at the idea of a bullfight might prefer this style. In the Provençal-style, the bull isn't killed. Rather, a team of athletic men attempt to remove a tassle from the bull's horn without getting injured.



A nice day trip from Arles would be to visit the Camargue. You can read more about this enchanting region in one of our earlier blog posts.

For a range of beautiful, charming and luxurious villas near to Arles and elsewhere in the south of France visit our website www.southfrancevillas.com

Gordes - The Heart of Provence: The Luberon - Hiking & Lavender

Peter Mayle's books about his life in the Luberon - a region in Provence - made the region famous amongst Anglophones. 

 His lively anecdotes caused many a day-dreaming armchair traveller not only to visit the Luberon - but in fact it inspired many to uproot their lives and move into their own beautiful French villa in the picturesque Luberon.

Peter Mayle was not the first person to discover the Luberon, however. Long before the 1990's, Provence intoxicated people with its natural beauty. In the 19th and 20th centuries, famous painters and writers flocked to the area in search of inspiration. The painters in particular were drawn by the special quality of the light. 

The light in Provence has an exceptional clarity, caused mostly by the famous 'Mistral' wind, which removes dust from the atmosphere and increases visibility. Van Gogh, Cezanne, Matisse, Renoir, Picasso, Monet and many others travelled to the area, fascinated by the effects of the light and the beauty of the landscape. This region of Southern France also enjoyed a particular vogue during the 20's and 30's with English writers.

And yet despite the ever-increasing interest in the Luberon, it has largely managed to remain the idyllic, wild and charming place which caused all this fuss in the first place. You will still see old men playing Petanque (Boules) on a lazy sunny afternoon, you will still find small isolated villages clinging precariously to wild rocky mountainside, and you will still feel the intoxicating energy which has inspired so many artists - whether you are artistically inclined or not.

The Luberon - places to go and things to see

The Luberon is arguably the true heart of Provence: a land of rugged limestone cliffs, wind-swept mountains, old stone huts and ruins, crumbling farmhouses, and beautifully-restored homes. And above all, sweeping views of the stunning landscapes. We would recommend that you make a top-quality vacation villa your home-base in the Luberon, and make day-trips to explore other areas in South France. That is, if you can pull yourself away.

One of our favourite spots is a little town called Gordes - officially one of the most beautiful towns in France. What makes it so special? The approach to the town is spectacular - white stone buildings grasping hold against the side of the sharp cliff of a mountain. Find yourself wandering its charming streets which form a labyrinth of winding cobblestone, perusing the weekly market, or throwing yourself into its vibrant art scene.

Hiking is very popular in the Luberon. It not only offers stunning landscapes, but there is also a surprising variety amongst these landscapes. There's little chance of becoming weary from repetitive views in this region of France. Not only is there scenic variety, but there are also trails which vary in their level of difficulty and length -- so regardless of your experience, there will be something to suit you. For more information in hiking in the Luberon, this page from Slow Travel France is very informative and useful.


When you think of Provence, one of the first images in your mind will probably be of fields of Lavender. In the Luberon, you can find an interesting museum on that very subject - the Lavender industry. The Lavender Museum collection includes photographs, artefacts, a video and a very good audio guide. There is also a gift shop where you can buy many quality Lavender products. The best time of year to visit the museum is from the first of July through tp the 25th of August (except on Saturdays!), when you can watch the harvesting and distillation of the Lavender in a copper still dating from around 1900. (During the rest of the year, there is a 10-minute video showing these processes.)

The Markets in the villages of the Luberon are a festive affair not to be missed. Some of the busier markets verge upon a carnival-like atmosphere, with many different things to see, sample and buy. The centre-piece of these markets is the fabulous fresh food. Pick up some fresh cheese, vegetables and fruit and head off into the countryside for a picnic. What could be better than that? You will also find clothing, jewellery, crafts, and many other things.

Finding a Villa

We have many beautiful villas in the Luberon to suit various holidays. Below is a selection of high quality villas from the Luberon region. Please don't hesitate to contact us - we would be more than happy to assist you.

The Cypresses - 15 people - Gordes
Maison Bijou - 8 people - Goult
Maison Sophie - 8 people - Goult
Maison Amandine - 8 people - Goult
Maison Cerise - 8 people - Goult

Contributions by Katarina Byrne