Auvers sur Oise

After two passes through the town of Auvers sur Oise with my hiking group which offered little time to soak up the history of Vincent Van Gogh's final days there, I finally made the time to go back in early May.  With perfect weather and a great group of touring companions, it was certainly a day to remember.  And it's one that anyone visiting Paris can easily repeat themselves via commuter train from Gare du Nord in about 40 minutes.  There's just one change in Valmondois  or you can get off in Méry sur Oise and walk about 2.5 kilometers down the hill and across the river to Auvers.

And what to see when you get there?

There's the home of Dr. Gachet whose portrait by Van Gogh you probably know.

Views that inspired Cezanne which haven't changed too much since his day

The tiny room where Van Gogh lived during the last days of his life

A museum dedicated to absinthe, also known as the green fairy.

And of course there's the church immortalized by Van Gogh and the cemetery where you'll find his grave and that of his brother Theo.  I didn't take any pictures of those on this most recent trip but you can go back in time with me and see them here.   We didn't make it to the Daubigny museum nor to the chateau except to have an incredible picnic (yes, they actually let you sit on the grass!)

Art, history, country air, good friends, good food, and champagne.  Now there's a combo that's hard to beat.