Geoffrey’s Citroen is now called “Ales (pronounced Alice) the Cat.” Named for a village near here– Ales. And “Cat” –because her little diesel engine “purrs” like a cat.

It’s proper that Ales the Cat has a name. We are dependent on each other for the next few days. Besides, I’m growing quite fond of her. Geoffrey was so right to have a luggage rack on Ales’ roof. She’s easy to find in a parking lot. Especially when I keep forgetting she’s silver.

Looking for Van Gogh

St. Remy de Provence: The First Visit

The road trip

Ales and I started on Van Gogh’s trail early this morning, heading for St. Remy de Provence. It was a beautiful, sunny day with light wind and temperatures in the high 70s. Our planned stops along the way to St. Remy were the towns of Remoulins and Beaucaire.

Remoulins

I’m not sure why I chose to stop in Remoulins. However, I found a cemetery to visit while passing through. I’ve seen interesting cemeteries along my trip, so stopping in Remoulins allowed me to check one out. It’s interesting to see how different cultures honor their ancestors. In Remoulin and other areas of Provence, the deceased are buried above ground in family plots. Most gravestones date back many centuries. Each grave in Remoulin is adorned with elaborate porcelain flower displays and family memorabilia.

Beaucaire

Moving onto Beaucaire, the scenery definitely changed. The older part of town, where tourists visit, is centered around a busy canal. Marine traffic is active, primarily for pleasure boats, and cafes and restaurants cater to transients and locals. Often, vessels are moored in the marinas for winter for travelers touring the western Mediterranean.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Finding the way

• 1. It is relatively easy if you’re wondering how I find my way around. I have a Michelin Atlas of France, which I found in the apartment. I know the main ways in and out of Uzes. With a couple of stops at petrol stations to ask for directions, I got along fine on this trip.

Note: Both petrol stations had female attendants. Neither spoke English. I simply pointed out where I was going on the map, and they totally understood what I wanted. They gave me perfect directions. Not to be sexist, but a man giving directions would have described every landmark along the way. The females just drew straight lines from one turn to another. Simple.

• 2 Another guide for finding your way on the roadways is “roundabouts.”I’m not kidding; there are roundabouts every two miles along the highways. That means there are frequent directions on signs that point your way.
• 3. You find clearly marked signs to follow when you enter a city. Keep going straight if you don’t see your destination on the sign. Soon, there will be a sign that says: Autres Directions. Follow that sign. It will lead you to the right road.

If all else fails, ask a woman.

St. Remy de Provence

St. Remy de Provence is advertised as the “one place you must see if you want to experience Provence. “Now that I’ve been there, I’m not too sure. I prefer Uzes.

Nostradamus was born in St. Remy.

Most importantly, St. Remy is where the artist Van Gogh, lived from 1889 to 90 in the asylum at Saint Paul-de-Mausolean.

Driving into St. Remy, an almost “spiritual” feeling came over me. There was something different about the countryside. It felt like a movie set.

The road into the city is lined with white-banded “plane” trees, like those leading out of Uzes. But they go on for miles and miles. Ancient stuccoed farmhouses and buildings are close to the road, with lush farmlands spreading deep behind them.

The historic district of St. Remy is set in a circle. Ales and I found a parking place in the public lot close to the town entrance. After depositing almost $5 in the meter, I looked for the tourist office. Before I had gotten very far, the menu special at a charming cafe caught my eye– salmon. I stopped for dejeuner.

Perfectly prepared salmon, risotto with tiny chunks of tomato and scallions, and a glass of rose satisfied my hunger.

I skipped the tourist office and took off to explore the shops. Of course. Interestingly, I saw more Americans in St. Remi than anywhere else I’ve traveled in this area. I’m sure they’ve read the publicity about St. Remi being “the place to be” in Provence.   There is definitely a unique atmosphere in St. Remy. It reeks of the flavor of “the rich and famous.”

Art and Architecture

Walking around St. Remy, there were so many times I reminded myself, “Van Gogh was here.” I could imagine how he was inspired. It inspired me.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

In the footsteps of Van Gog

My day’s creme de la creme was a tour of the asylum at Saint Paul-de-Mausolean, the monastery complex where Van Gogh was voluntarily committed from 1889 to 90. From here, he produced two of his most notable works, “Starry Nights” and his self-portrait. I was transported to Van Gogh’s day and time, taking the photos below. Despite his imprisonment, I could imagine how he felt about all the beauty around him.

The entrance, the buildings, the inside, Van Gogh’s Garden, the chapel, the view!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Van Gogh was released from the hospital at Saint Paul-de-Mausoleann in May 1890 and left for Auvers-Sur-Oise near Paris. He shot himself on 27 July 1890 and died two days later.

Fortunately, his art lives on.