Auvers-sur-Oise is a small town in the Val-d'Oise region, not far from Paris, which might have remained anonymous—if not for the painter Vincent Van Gogh, who spent the final months of his life here. Just 70 short days that forever changed the town...
I spent a day in Auvers, walking in Van Gogh's footsteps, and here’s what you can visit. A wonderful cultural day trip idea in the Île-de-France region!
Van Gogh’s Room at the Ravoux Inn (Auberge Ravoux)
No visit to Auvers-sur-Oise would be complete without stopping by the Ravoux Inn, just a 5-minute walk from the train station and near the town hall. It’s also known as the "House of Van Gogh," as this is where the painter moved when he arrived in Auvers in May 1890.
Let’s go back in time! By then, Van Gogh had already traveled extensively and painted prolifically, but his fragile mental health continued to trouble him. In late 1888, he famously cut off his ear, and had just spent a full year in a mental institution in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
In this journey filled with creativity and despair, he met a doctor—Dr. Gachet—on the advice of another painter, Camille Pissarro. Dr. Gachet, an amateur artist himself, often shared his studio with professional painters who lived in the area. Many of his patients were also artists, including Pissarro, Cézanne, Manet, Renoir, and Daubigny. Naturally, when Van Gogh left the asylum, his brother Theo—whom he was very close to—suggested he seek out Dr. Gachet in Auvers-sur-Oise.
Van Gogh had little money, so he turned to the Ravoux Inn, which offered him an affordable room, room number 5, for 3.5 francs per day. At the time, the inn was a wine shop and restaurant, often hosting painters due to its proximity to the train line to Paris.
In his short 70-day stay, Van Gogh was more productive than ever: 74 paintings, 1 etching, 45 drawings—until July 27, 1890, when he returned to the Ravoux Inn with a bullet in his chest, climbed the stairs to his room, and was later found in a dire state by the innkeeper. Deemed inoperable, he suffered a long agony and passed away in the early hours of July 29 at 1:30 a.m., in that very room.
This bit of history is essential to understanding the deeply symbolic nature of the site. I visited on a Friday outside of school holidays and was the only visitor during my time slot—making the experience even more intimate and moving. The room is only accessible via a guided tour, which starts after walking around the left side of the inn.
In the courtyard, you'll find several informational panels about Van Gogh’s life and the history of the inn. I highly recommend reading them, especially if you’re not very familiar with the artist’s life—it’s a great introduction!
You then go upstairs from the restaurant, where there’s also a gift shop. That’s where the visit begins. Behind a closed door, a narrow staircase leads to the upper floor. The air is damp, the stairwell dim. The building has been restored, but its imperfections—cracks, creaking floorboards—have been left intact. And then you enter the room, just 7 m² (75 sq ft), unfurnished except for a single chair, lit only by a small skylight.
The guide shares a brief but poignant narrative about how Van Gogh’s story became intertwined with this inn—how his brother Theo stayed by his side until the very end and died just six months later of syphilis. This bare room was both the setting of the painter’s tragic end and the cradle of one last, astonishing surge of creativity.
Photography is not allowed in the room, and a certain sense of solemnity hangs in the air. The guide told me that some visitors say they “feel something” here—a special energy.
The guided tour allows up to 20 people at a time, but honestly, the room is so small that I recommend visiting during the off-season if you can.
The museum hopes to one day display an original Van Gogh painting in this very room—a goal that requires meeting strict conservation and security standards, but one that would truly honor this inn’s place in the artist’s journey.
After the door to room no. 5 closes, visitors can access the adjoining room once occupied by the painter Anton Hirschig. This room is furnished, giving a better sense of how artists lived here in the late 19th century.
The visit concludes with a short video presentation about Van Gogh’s time in Auvers-sur-Oise and the works he created there.
The entire visit, including the video, lasts about 30 minutes and costs €10 per adult (~$11 / £8.50), or €8 for students and disabled visitors. Teenagers (ages 12–17) also pay €8, and children under 12 enter for free.
I highly recommend starting your day in Auvers-sur-Oise with the Van Gogh House tour, as it gives great context about his life and the role this town played in his final days.
You can also have a meal in the Ravoux Inn dining room. I recommend it for a truly immersive experience! The menu includes charcuterie and/or cheese boards, main dishes (meat, fish...), and pastries. They also serve wine—look for selections from Stéphane Montez, a winemaker I always enjoy seeing on a wine list.
That said, it’s pricey—you’re definitely paying for “the story.” If you make a reservation, make sure your table is located in the historic section of the Ravoux Inn. There’s a newer annex in the back (you’ll walk past it when visiting the inn), but it lacks the rich atmosphere of the main dining room.
Address: 52 Rue du Général de Gaulle, 95430 Auvers-sur-Oise
Visiting conditions: The Auberge Ravoux is open from March to November, Wednesday to Sunday. Online reservations recommended here.
Daubigny Museum
Just a short walk from Van Gogh’s house, you can also visit the Daubigny Museum, dedicated to painter Charles-François Daubigny. He was part of the Barbizon school, a group of Romantic-inspired artists who often painted outdoors—especially in the Forest of Fontainebleau. Daubigny also influenced a new movement emerging at the time: Impressionism.
Van Gogh greatly admired Daubigny, and even dedicated a painting to him. The museum allows you to explore his work, as well as that of his son Karl. It’s a small museum that takes no more than an hour to explore, with permanent exhibits on the ground floor and temporary ones upstairs.
The museum is scheduled for a full restoration and expansion. I recommend visiting if you get the chance—it’s a worthwhile stop and much less crowded than other points of interest in Auvers-sur-Oise, allowing you to enjoy it in peace.
Address: Rue de la Sansonne.
Practical information:
- The museum is closed on Mondays;
- Open year-round (except December 25 and January 1), Tuesday to Sunday from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM (6:30 PM on Wednesdays).
- In July and August, it’s also open in the morning from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Tuesday to Sunday.
- From September to June, morning visits are only available on weekends.
You can buy your ticket on site. Just a few steps away, you can also visit the Daubigny Workshop House.
The Château of Auvers-sur-Oise
The Château of Auvers was built in the 17th century by an Italian banker and later owned by several French families. Although it inspired one of Van Gogh’s paintings, it had no direct connection to the artist. In 1987, it became the property of the Val d’Oise Department and was fully restored and converted into a cultural center.
The château regularly hosts new exhibitions, often focused on Impressionism. During my visit, I saw a high-quality exhibition about Van Gogh’s final journeys through France—from Paris to Auvers-sur-Oise via Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
The visit includes a well-done audio guide, which I highly recommend—without it, the experience may feel a bit flat. There’s also a large immersive video room, which makes for a beautiful and moving conclusion to the tour.
Of course, it’s a modest museum located in a château that doesn’t have a particularly rich historical past. Most of the artworks are reproductions rather than originals—the originals belong to larger museums. Still, the exhibit was thoughtful, cohesive, and engaging. I didn’t regret my visit at all.
Practical info: the château is located on Chemin des Berthelées, about a 10-minute walk from the Van Gogh House (Ravoux Inn). There are a few parking spots on site, but they’re very limited—so I suggest parking in the town center and walking.
It’s also a good idea to book your time slot in advance, as space is limited.
The château is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The park and gardens are open and free to access from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (April to October) and 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM (November to March). You can check the current schedule and plan your visit on the official website.
Dr. Gachet’s House
When I visited Auvers, I hadn’t initially planned to see Dr. Gachet’s House. It’s slightly off the main path—about a 15–20-minute walk from the town center—and it hadn’t really caught my attention.
But I ended up going anyway: it’s just 10 minutes on foot from the Château of Auvers. As you explore the town, you quickly realize that Dr. Gachet wasn’t just Van Gogh’s physician—he was a key figure in local life: a melancholic man, considered eccentric by some, an amateur painter and engraver, a believer in homeopathy, and a hands-on herbalist. He was also an avid art collector.
You can visit the house quickly for a few euros. Guided tours (reservation required) offer plenty of fascinating stories about the home and its history, or you can explore at your own pace.
I especially loved the garden, with its terraced views over the edges of Auvers, vibrant flowers, and troglodyte rooms at the back of the property.
The house itself is simple: a ground floor with a period-style interior, and a second floor with a small art exhibition.
Practical info: the house is located at 78 Rue Gachet. It is only open during the tourist season (generally from late March to early November), Wednesday to Sunday, from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Wheat Fields and Tree Roots
The landscapes of Auvers deeply inspired Van Gogh. On Rue Daubigny, you can see the tree roots that became the subject of a famous painting created the very day he died. Everything is clearly marked with informative panels.
If you really want to experience the more rural side of Auvers-sur-Oise, I recommend taking the Sentier du Montier trail. You’ll find it right next to the Daubigny workshop. It’s a bit of a climb, but you’ll soon reach a small dirt path on the right. Follow it and you’ll be walking through the very wheat fields that inspired Vincent Van Gogh. Of course, that depends on the time of year :)
Wheat is usually at its peak around May or June, before the harvest in summer. I visited Auvers-sur-Oise in April, so it was a bit early—but still a lovely walk. If you continue through the fields, you’ll eventually reach the Auvers-sur-Oise cemetery.
Van Gogh’s Grave in the Auvers Cemetery
I made a quick stop at the Auvers-sur-Oise cemetery because that’s where Vincent van Gogh is buried, next to his brother Theo.
The two men exchanged over 650 known letters. Theo was a vital source of both emotional and financial support for the artist, and it was his wife Johanna who, after his death, played a major role in bringing van Gogh’s work to light.
I learned about the extraordinary life of Johanna van Gogh during my visit to Auvers—a strong, independent woman for her time—and I must say she really stood out to me. It was her idea to publish the correspondence between the two brothers for the first time, and she also arranged for Theo’s body (he died in Utrecht) to be moved to Auvers so he could rest beside Vincent.
The two graves are simple, covered in ivy symbolizing friendship that came from Dr. Gachet’s garden. The cemetery is open to the public year-round.
Even though I visited myself, I still wonder what we’re really seeking when we approach a famous person’s grave. Is it a way of paying tribute to the mortal person they were, in honor of the immortal works they left behind?
The Church of Auvers-sur-Oise
Your walk can end with a visit to the church of Auvers-sur-Oise, just a few minutes on foot from the cemetery. This church inspired one of van Gogh’s most famous paintings, now housed at the Musée d’Orsay. Yet, when he died, the church turned its back on him. A religious service was planned for the day after his death, but the priest refused to hold it because suicide was not accepted by the Catholic Church.
So it was at the Ravoux Inn itself that the coffin was displayed for mourners, surrounded by flowers—many of them sunflowers, which van Gogh especially loved—before being carried to the cemetery.
Severely damaged, especially its roof, the church is currently undergoing restoration with support from generous donors and the Fondation du Patrimoine, but you can still go inside.
It was built between the 12th and 13th centuries and blends Romanesque and Gothic styles. While you’re there, don’t miss the very old stairway from 1615 that leads to the church (on the opposite side of the famous painted facade)—it’s listed as a historic monument and gives a beautiful view of the building. Take time to admire the church’s notable artworks (like The Assumption of Mary and The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist) and the historic wooden tabernacle.
During my visit, scaffolding completely covered this part of the church, so many people assumed it was closed and didn’t even try to enter. It was actually a construction worker who noticed me circling around and pointed me to the door. Inside, it was empty. The sound of the renovations faded away and left me with a quiet, peaceful moment.
How to Get to Auvers-sur-Oise
Auvers-sur-Oise is located just about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Paris, making it the perfect day trip destination.
You can get to Auvers-sur-Oise by train from Paris. Most of the year and on weekdays, you’ll need to change trains—either in Pontoise or Persan-Beaumont—or walk. One option is to take the Transilien Line H from Gare du Nord to Méry-sur-Oise (about 40 minutes), then walk 2 kilometers to Auvers.
On spring and summer weekends and public holidays, direct trains—often called “Impressionist Trains”—run from Paris Gare du Nord straight to Auvers-sur-Oise in about 45 minutes. There’s usually one outbound train in the morning and one return train in the evening. You can find up-to-date details on the Transilien Line H website, like this one from 2024.
Auvers is also easy to reach by car, with parking near the train station or just before the bridge over the Oise River when coming from Méry-sur-Oise. Take the A15 highway toward Cergy-Pontoise, then continue on the A115 toward Auvers-sur-Oise. The drive from Paris takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
Recommended Places in Auvers
For a quick bite, I highly recommend the excellent "Fournil des Gourmands" bakery by Virginie and Laurent Leroy, near the Doctor Gachet House (66, rue François Villon). Since it’s a bit out of the way, they opened a second location in May 2024 in the town center, "La Pâtisserie des Gourmands" (20, rue De Gaulle, across from the train station).
If you’d rather take your time for lunch, there’s the famous Auberge Ravoux I mentioned earlier, as well as great restaurant options like Le Relais des Peintres, Le Chemin des Peintres, and the cozy "Au pied de l’église" near the church.
Plenty of ways to fill a day! If you have extra time, consider visiting a lesser-known spot in Auvers-sur-Oise: the Absinthe Museum, dedicated to the drink that was so popular among 19th-century artists and writers—and eventually banned in France for nearly a century. It’s open to individual visitors on weekend afternoons only (generally 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM) and is located at 44 rue Callé.
I personally found the outing really enjoyable—there’s also a lovely walk along the towpath beside the Oise River, perfect for some fresh air. As someone who isn’t an art expert, it really helped me better understand Van Gogh’s life and work.
Auvers-sur-Oise is also full of surprises: a tiny town of only 6,000 to 7,000 residents, yet the top tourist destination in the Val d’Oise region, welcoming around 300,000 visitors each year. Because there are so few hotels and tourist facilities, the area has remained relatively preserved. Many people just come for the day, sometimes as part of a broader trip exploring the region’s art history—(Giverny is an hour away, Pontoise is 15 minutes, and Chatou’s Impressionist trail is about 1 hour 20 minutes)—but there’s none of the typical mass tourism overload, which makes the visit even more enjoyable.
