Simple hopes- Auvers sur Oise.

On our way back from Paris we went to Auvers sur Oise which is the village were Vincent van Gogh died.

Cottages in Auvers sur Oise. Vincent van Gogh

He went to the village in June of 1890 and whilst there produced over 70 paintings in under 3 months.

Vincent wanted to escape the city of Paris and breathe fresh air and enjoy the simple rural life.

On the 27th July 1890 Vincent took his own life and spent the last day of his life with his devoted brother Theo by his side.

 The church at Auvers sur Oise.

We walked around the village and saw the many places that he painted.

Vincent's painting of the church.

We walked, in bright sunshine, to the simple grave where Vincent is buried, Theo died in 1891 and in 1914 his widow arranged for Theo's body to be taken from Holland to be laid next to his brother.

The graves are simple and covered in close cropped ivy, a request made by Vincent before he died.

Leaving the graveyard we walked through the fields were Vincent had painted returning down a lane to the village.

The cornfields with the crows.

Later after lunch we went to the Auberge Ravoux where Vincent had lived in those last months.

We climbed the plain staircase lit by a simple light and went into the tiny room where Vincent died.

The room contains no furniture now, just a simple cupboard built into the wall and one skylight.

We were lucky enough to be in the room with just the guide, all was quiet.

I touched the walls and the tears began to come to my eyes as I read  some of Vincent's words, written to Theo,

simply displayed on the wall.

" Some day or another I believe I will find a way to have my own exhibition in a cafe."

The guide saw my tears and I saw she was crying too, we embraced in empathy - I will never forget that special moment.

Fields in the rain at Auver sur Oise.

Vincent died at the age of 37.

His wishes came true.

Simple window of a house that Vincent would have passed each day.