Picturesque fields of lavender, ancient stone cottages, shaded terraces: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence makes relaxing in luxury easy. At the foot of the Provencal Alps, this historic village was famously painted in Vincent van Gogh's masterpiece The Starry Night. Sample regional wines, admire artwork from local artists and soak up the culture of this charming retreat.
ART
Ever since van Gogh spent a year in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in 1889, the village has been a favoured locale of artists. Stroll down cobbled streets to the Centre d'Art Presence de Van Gogh to see an exhibition of the artist's letters. Then visit one of the many art galleries or stop by the archaeological museum to see local Roman remains. Housed in a Renaissance mansion, the Musee des Alpilles is also worth a visit to learn about folklore and local traditions.
FOOD & WINE
A luxury break to France wouldn't be complete without indulging in some of the world's finest cuisine. Dine in style at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence's eclectic array of eateries, which include two Michelin-starred restaurants. For local fare, stop in some of the many boutiques and cafés to savour freshly made macarons, or local honey, olive oil and jam.
EVENTS
From May through October, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence bursts to life with numerous fetes. The season starts with local livestock festivals, flea markets and a cheese fair. On selected Sundays throughout the summer, the Routes des Artistes market features works from local artists and artisans. APART festival in July features contemporary art, and other summer festivals celebrate wine, jazz and even bullfighting.
Be sure to shop the colourful Wednesday morning market for unique treasures to take home.