Saint-Paul de Mausole Monastery (Monastère Saint-Paul de Mausole)
2 VC des Carrières, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, 13210
A masterpiece of Provençal Romanesque architecture, the Monastère St Paul-de-Mausole (or the Saint-Paul de Mausole Monastery began as an Augustine monastery in the 12th century, but was later converted to an asylum famously housing artist Vincent Van Gogh after he notoriously cut off his year in 1889. Visitors are drawn to the monastery to see the landscapes that inspired Van Gogh’s most celebrated works.
The basics
The Saint Paul de Mausole Monastery is included in many day tours of the Provençal countryside that set out from Avignon, Arles, or Montpelier. To learn more about Van Gogh’s time in Provence, choose a Van Gogh-themed tour and visit the landmarks that appear in some of the artist’s most famous works.
Saint Paul de Mausole still functions as a psychiatric health institution today, but visitors are welcome to tour the public areas of the asylum and view a reproduction of the room where Van Gogh was confined. You can browse works of art for sale made by patients at the asylum and visit the monastery gardens.
Things to know before you go
- The Saint Paul de Mausole Monastery is a must-see for art lovers and admirers of Van Gogh’s work.
- An admission fee is required to enter the monastery.
- See the gardens that inspired Van Gogh’s most beloved works including The Irises and Starry Night.
- The monastery still functions as a psychiatric hospital today so visit quietly and with respect for the patients.
How to get there
The Saint Paul de Mausole Monastery is located just outside Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, 16 miles (26 kilometers) south of Avignon and 17 miles (28 kilometers) northeast of Arles. The monastery is easily accessed by car, bike, or on foot from the center of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Public transportation is limited in Provence, so booking a guided tour is an easy and efficient way to see the area's highlights if you don’t have a car.
When to get there
Visit the Saint-Paul de Mausole Monastery in the spring or early summer to see the gardens in bloom. The monastery is open daily to visitors from April through September from 9:30am to 6:45pm. Opening hours are limited from October through March and the monastery may temporarily close in January or February. If visiting during this time, it is best to check the monastery website for current hours prior to your visit.
Van Gogh and the Saint Paul de Mausole Monastery
Vincent Van Gogh voluntarily committed himself to the St. Paul-de-Mausole Asylum in May of 1889. While recuperating, Van Gogh discovered the beauty of the landscapes that surrounded the monastery and was inspired to create many of his most-loved masterpieces including The Irises, Starry Night, and Wheatfield with Cypresses. Van Gogh’s time at St Paul-de-Mausole was one of his most productive and he created nearly 250 drawings and paintings during this time.
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