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May 2025 (Part 21)

France Trip: Day 10: Auvers Sur Oise

The next day we headed to Auvers Sur Oise, where Vincent Van Gogh died and is buried next to his brother Theo. 

Van Gogh suffered from psychotic episodes and delusions throughout his adult life.  He worried about his mental stability, and often neglected his physical health, did not eat properly and drank heavily.  His friendship with Gauguin famously ended after a confrontation with a razor when, in a rage, he mutilated his left ear.  Van Gogh spent time in psychiatric hospitals, including a period at Saint-Rémy. After he discharged himself, he moved to the Auberge Ravoux in Auvers-sur-Oise in May 1890.  He moved there to be treated by the homeopathic doctor Paul Gachet, who lived in Auvers-sur-Oise and was acquainted with the avant-garde artists of the time.  Van Gogh was acquainted with him through this connection and wanted to be treated by him, although he considered the doctor to be in a worse state than himself.  Gachet befriended Van Gogh and was the subject of two portraits, one of which, Portrait of Dr. Gachet, was sold at auction for over $80m (£48m) in 1990.  Van Gogh was in Auvers-Sur-Oise for a little over 60-days, painting about 70 pictures during that time.  His depression persisted throughout his stay, and on 29 July 1890 Van Gogh died from his injuries after shooting himself in the chest with a revolver while in his rooms.  His brother Theo died six months later and is buried next to him.

An interesting railroad track and station as we headed into town.

One of our first stops as we got into town was at a Statue of Charles-François Daubigny who as a painter influenced some of the younger Impressionist painters.  We then headed up a small hill to the Church Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, which dates back to the 11th century.  This was a church Van Gogh painted several times.

From the church, we made our way further up the hill along a country lane and into the fields above town.  At one of the intersections was a plaque with Van Gogh's painting place in front of the actual scenery.

We made our way across one of the fields to a small community graveyard with the graves of Vincent and Theo Van Gogh.

Back in town, we made our way to the Auberge Ravoux, where Van Gogh had his rooms and where he died, as it is now a small museum with a gift store.

There were several more places in town with plaques showing a Van Gogh picture and the actual scenery.

There were even terraced gardens near the train station.

Naturally, we took several more pictures of flowers and bees throughout the day.

Back at the boat dock in Conflans, Lexi found some more flowers and bees.