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Immerse yourself in the footsteps of Van Gogh on this 6km (3.7-mile) hike to the charming village of Auvers-sur-Oise. I will guide you to the very spots where he created his final masterpieces, sharing captivating stories of his life and genius along the way.
Please note that this hike involves some elevation changes, so a moderate level of fitness is recommended for a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Where do we meet up?
Where do we meet up?
We are going to start our experience with a journey on a suburb train from Gare du Nord Hall 3B (line H). I will be waiting for you at the entrance of platform 35 at 8:00 AM.
Our route
Our route
Distance : about 12Km ( roughly 7.5 miles)
Grade : moderate pace (4km/h or 2.5miles/h)
Elevation profile : +126m uphill
Bathroom breaks: Gare du Nord, in the forest, in the Castle of Auvers (halfway)
Starting point: Pontoise train station
Final destination : Meriel train station
Alternate shorter route
Alternate shorter route
Availability : Only with a private booking and on request.
Distance : about 10.5Km ( roughly 6.5 miles)
Grade : beginner
Elevation profile : +120m uphill
Bathroom breaks: in the forest
What do you have to bring with you ?
What do you have to bring with you ?
Hiking shoes are advised
Enough water for the day (at least 1.5L)
Bring your own packed lunch
Depending on the weather (rain wear/umbrella or sunblock cream and sunglasses)
Suburb train tickets are not included. It's 5€ one way.
A little history…
A little history…
During the 19th century, a number of painters lived and worked in Auvers-sur-Oise, including Paul Cézanne, Charles-François Daubigny, Camille Pissarro, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Norbert Goeneutte, and Vincent van Gogh. Daubigny's house is now a museum where one can see paintings by the artist, his family, and friends, such as Honoré Daumier, as well as rooms decorated in period style. Charles Sprague Pearce (1851-1914) died there also. Along the river walk from Auvers toward Pontoise are a number of views which featured in the paintings of Pissarro.
During the 20th century artists continued to frequent Auvers, including Henri Rousseau (Douanier Rousseau), Otto Freundlich and Pierre Daboval. The COBRA artist Corneille spent his last years in the village and is buried a few metres from Vincent van Gogh.
The Vexin Natural Park
The Vexin Natural Park
The 71,000-hectare Vexin Français Regional Nature Park (Parc Naturel Régional du Vexin Français) spreads across two départements: the Val-d'Oise and Yvelines. Its picturesque, unspoiled and protected scenery ranges from woods, forests, meadows, fields and hills to marshland, rivers and typical villages, and was a source of inspiration for many Impressionist painters, including Van Gogh, Cézanne and Daubigny.
Lery castle
Lery castle
Château d'Auvers (or Lery Castle) was built in the seventeenth century in Auvers-sur-Oise, Val-d'Oise. It is an example of original valuation of a heritage site in the heart of an internationally renown village.
The château of Auvers was built in 1635 by an Italian banker, Zaboni Lioni. At the end of the century, it becomes the property of Jean de Lery, the King's Advisor, which transforms the Italian pavilion into a castle "à la française". Jean de Lery is both advisor, butler of the king, and General Treasurer of France.
In 1890, the castle will inspire Vincent van Gogh a famous painting, "The Castle of Auvers at sunset."
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