Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
This Gallo-Roman city is beautifully situated at the foot of the small Alpilles mountain range, 20 kilometres south of the papal city of Avignon. A holiday in St-Rémy-de-Provence offers fantastic nature experiences and great opportunities for outdoor activities in the very mountainous and lush surroundings. St-Rémy-de-Provence is a very appealing and typically Provençal place. It is considered one of the great gems of the Bouches-du-Rhône. As with most other major cities in Bouches-du-Rhône, the old town lies at the heart of the relatively new town. This part of the city offers narrow, winding streets, beautiful, well-restored houses, old fountains, small, shady squares with restaurants, cafés and small shops. St-Rémy-de-Provence is rich in historical memories. The city is built on top of one of the oldest archaeological sites in Europe. Here lie the remains of the Gallo-Roman city of Comptoir de Glanum, founded in the 3rd century BC and later used by the Romans under Julius Caesar. Excavations are still being carried out at the site. St-Rémy-de-Provence also boasts two unique Roman buildings, a triumphal arch dating back to the 1st century BC and a very well-preserved mausoleum. The mausoleum is a three-tiered tomb erected in memory of the Emperor Augustus' two grandsons Gaius and Lucius Caesar. St-Rémy-de-Provence has attracted numerous artists over the years, including van Gogh, who produced a large number of paintings in the neighbourhood of St-Rémy-de-Provence. Just outside the town, a small road leads up to the Clinique de St Paul, a former medieval monastery, St-Paul de Mausole, later converted into a mental hospital. It was here that van Gogh was hospitalised after cutting off his ear. The part of the monastery that is not used as a hospital can be visited. 
Inspiration for your holiday:Attractions:Comptoir de Glanum: This city was once a thriving trading centre in both Greco-Gallic times and later under the Romans, but in the 3rd century it was completely destroyed by foreign armies that invaded the area. Excavations are still taking place in the area. Musée archéologique de Glanum: Archaeological museum located in the Hôtel de Sade built in the 15th and 16th centuries. This museum contains all the artefacts found in the excavations just outside the city. Les Antiques: Includes two Roman buildings: a triumphal arch from the 1st century BC and a very well-preserved mausoleum. Monastère Saint-Paul de Mausole/Clinique de St Paul: Formerly a medieval monastery that was later converted into a mental hospital. This is where van Gogh was hospitalised after cutting off his ear. Collégiale Saint-Martin: 14th century collegiate church, restored in the 18th century. The ceiling is coloured light blue and dotted with golden stars that dissolve from the many stained glass windows. There is also a huge organ that completely dominates the front of the church's interior. Musée des Alpilles: Art and folklore. Centre d'Art Présence Van Gogh located in the 18th century Hôtel Estrine. Fondation Mario Prassinos (Chapelle Notre Dame de Pitié). Musée des Arômes 
Things to do in St-Remy-de-ProvenceWindsurfing (Camarque) Angling (Camarque) Mountain biking Golf - There is a wealth of golf courses in the Bouches du Rhône area and several in the neighbouring departments of Gard and Vaucluse. The French Golf Union has a website where most courses are presented. Unfortunately, the website is in French. Go to Guide de golfs and search here under the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region: http://www.ffgolf.org/. |