9 Best Things To Do In Saint-Remy-de-Provence, France

1. Hike and fish at Lac de Peïroou

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What to do in Saint-Remy-de-Provence? Your first answer would be to go to local, beautiful attractions and take pictures. But that seems boring. Why not do something interesting — like hiking and even fishing? If this sounds like a fun thing to do, then you should visit Lac de Peïroou.

Lac de Peïroou is a man-made lake that was initially created to supply water to the people in Glanum. But over time, it has become a tourist spot due to its picturesque views — the pristine waters, green trees, and rock formations make this place look like a painting indeed.

Most visitors prefer to hike around the lake, or just relax on the beach. But you can also fish when the lake allows it — you just need to get a special fishing license from the Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Tourist Office. Without a doubt, visiting Lac de Peïroou is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Lac de Peïroou

Address: 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France

Website: Lac de Peïroou

Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free

2. Discover the remnants of an ancient city at Site Archéologique de Glanum

Glanum is an ancient residence that was inhabited since at least the Neolithic period. At the turn of 1st and 2nd centuries BC, the Greeks built a city here. The city was expanded until the 3rd century with new buildings. Then, after the attack of the Visigoths, the city was left in ruins.

Finally, Glanum has a spring, which makes this place very attractive. Around the spring is an ancient building with stairs leading to a pool. The Romans drove the water through narrow canals to heat the houses. In a part of ancient Glanum, you can even see the rest of the Roman baths. The remnants of this ancient city, now called the Site Archéologique de Glanum, are now open to the public, so you should visit this place and immerse yourself in history.

Site Archéologique de Glanum

Address: Avenue Vincent Van Gogh, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Website: Site Archéologique de Glanum

3. Take a tour around St. Paul de Mausole

The Saint Paul Monastery is located in the neighborhood of Glanum. The monastery is a highlight of the surrounding area due to its beautiful tower with a pyramidal roof. The Monastery is surrounded by peaceful, maintained gardens. Nowadays St. Paul de Mausole is a psychiatric health institution. It is possible to take a tour to parts, which are open to the public and where you can see art made by patients at the art therapy studio.

In the Saint Paul Monastery, also spend some time seeing areas the famous painter Vincent Van Gogh painted such as the Wheat Field, which can be seen above the stairs. During the tour, you can see the room where Van Gogh was confined and also the room explaining psychiatry in the 19th century.

St. Paul de Mausole

Address: Alpilles Natural Regional Park, Avenue Dr Edgar Leroy, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France

Website: St. Paul de Mausole (in French)

4. Learn more about Van Gogh by joining the Van Gogh Walk

During the time that Van Gogh spent in the St. Paul Monastery, he created about 300 works of art. Several places in the town that the artist immortalized in his paintings are now marked by a panel with a representation of his work. Among the places that inspired Vincent Van Gogh, we find for example, the Trinquetaille Bridge, the Rhone River waterfront, the Rue Mireille, the Hospital Garden, and much more. This journey is an impressive sight to begin to understand the way that Van Gogh saw the world.

Van Gogh Walk

Website: Van Gogh Walk

5. Taste regional dishes made by local chefs at Moulin du Calanquet

Moulin du Calanquet is a family-based company that makes its very own olive oil and other Provence gastronomy products. The olive oil mill has been running for over five generations. The Moulin du Calanquet makes five variations of olive oil with unique and most delicious flavors. All extra-virgin and cold-pressed oils have been awarded several prizes. They are also selling products from regional French gastronomy made by local chefs. Moulin du Calanquet also offers tours and special tastings.

Moulin du Calanquet

Address: Vieux chemin d'Arles, 13210 St. Remy De Provence

Website: Moulin du Calanquete

6. Discover the region's history at Musee des Alpilles

The Alpilles Museum is situated in the historic center, set in the Hotel Mistral de Mondragon. Hotel Mistral de Mondragon is a former Renaissance mansion. The building was created by a great architect and is built around an inner courtyard. Since 1862 it has been classified as national monument. The Alpilles Museum presents pieces from the PATREM project, which was initiated in 2014 by the “Agriculture & Food” branch of the Mucem.

Musee des Alpilles

Address: Alpilles Natural Regional Park, 7 Rue Carnot, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Frane

Website: Musee des Alpilles

7. Stroll by Les Antiques

Two monuments, pieces of ancient architecture and history stand at the entrance to the Glanum. The Mausoleum was built by Augustus as a tribute to his two dead grandsons. The funerary monument is dated somewhere between 30 to 20 BC, and it is well preserved. The Mausoleum is known for its unique structure that was not usual in Roman architecture. Inside of the Mausoleum, two effigies of members of the Gallo-Roman family of the Julii can be seen. The Triumphal Arch is dated from about 20 CE. The arch is beautifully adorned with reliefs that illustrate Caesar’s conquest of the Gauls, with fruits and leaves carved under the arch.

Les Antiques

Address: Route des Baux de Provence, Saint-Remy-de-Provence,France

Website: Les Antiques

8. Pass by Fontaine Nostradamus

During the medieval times, a famous spring called the ‘la Font-Vieille’ was found here. A long time later, a fountain was placed here with a bust of Louis XVI. The bust was replaced by the statue of Nostradamus, which was sculpted in 1859 by Antoine Leonard de Lambesc. Nostradamus, whose full name was Michel de Nostredame, was a French physician who became famous as a saint. His statue stands today still, and it’s open for the public to see.

9. Browse breathtaking artworks at Galerie du Pharos

Galerie du Pharos is an art gallery in the center of the town. The Gallery features eight contemporary artists with different styles. Here we can find: David Kracov, Phil Stein, Charles Fazzino, René Vidal De Rueda, Yong-Man Kwon, Thierry Miramon, René Julien, and Jean-François Fouilshoux. The gallery will be appreciated by artists or people who love art. The Galerie de Pharos provides a small insight into the art of contemporary artists.

Galerie du Pharos

Address: 28 place aux Huiles, France

Facebook: Galerie du Pharos

A landmark of Roman culture and home of art

Saint-Remy-de-Provence is a beautiful place with a picturesque countryside scented by fields of lavender, and Provencal charm. Saint-Remy-de-Provence is a landmark of ancient Roman culture, as well as the home of art that has been spreading through the city since the dawn of time. Head to the city where the famous Van Gogh once lived, and many others artists spent their days.

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