Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Name	Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Arrondissement	Arles
Canton	Salon-de-Provence-1
Insee	13100
Postal code	13210
Mayor	Hervé Chérubini
Term	2020–2026
Elevation m	60
Area km2	89.09
Population	9775
Population date	2021

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. A historic commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southern France, it is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes. Nestled at the northern foothills of the Alpilles mountain range, the town is famously associated with the painter Vincent van Gogh and the ancient Roman site of Glamum. Its well-preserved medieval center, vibrant weekly market, and status as a gateway to the Parc naturel régional des Alpilles make it a significant destination in Provence.

Geography

The town is situated in a fertile plain north of the Alpilles, a small limestone mountain range, with the landscape characterized by olive groves, vineyards, and almond orchards. It lies approximately 20 kilometres south of Avignon and 90 kilometres northwest of Marseille, benefiting from a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Several seasonal rivers, or *gabions*, flow from the Alpilles, and the area is part of the larger Rhône hydrological basin, influencing its agricultural patterns.

History

The area's history dates to pre-Roman times, with the Salyes, a Ligurian people, establishing an oppidum. The site was later transformed into the prosperous Roman city of Glamum, which flourished due to its location on the Via Domitia. Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the settlement declined and a new town, named after Saint Remigius, grew around a Benedictine abbey founded in the 8th century. It became a possession of the Papal enclaves within the Comtat Venaissin and later witnessed events of the French Wars of Religion. The town was integrated into France following the French Revolution.

Main sights

The most prominent archaeological site is Glamum, featuring a well-preserved Mausoleum of the Julii and triumphal arch. The adjacent Saint-Paul de Mausole monastery, a former Augustinian priory, is where Vincent van Gogh was voluntarily institutionalized in 1889-1890 and produced over 150 paintings. The historic town center is enclosed by 14th-century ramparts and contains notable buildings like the Hôtel de Sade and the Collégiale Saint-Martin. The Musée des Alpilles houses collections on local ethnography and history.

Culture

The town is a celebrated cultural center, heavily associated with Vincent van Gogh and his works depicting the local asylum and landscapes like *The Starry Night*. It hosts the annual Fête de la Transhumance, celebrating the traditional movement of sheep, and the classical music festival, *Les Musicales de la Vallée des Baux*. The vibrant weekly market fills the boulevards with Provençal products, and the town is known for its *santons* (Provençal nativity figurines) and influence on writers such as Nostradamus, who studied at its former university.

Notable people

The physician and astrologer Nostradamus was born here in 1503. The painter Vincent van Gogh resided at the Saint-Paul de Mausole asylum. The Marquis Jean de Sade, ancestor of the Marquis de Sade, lived at the Hôtel de Sade. Nobel Prize-winning poet Frédéric Mistral, founder of the Félibrige movement, was a frequent visitor. More recent notable residents include actress Leslie Caron and singer Charles Aznavour.

Economy

The local economy is primarily based on tourism, cultural heritage, and agriculture, particularly the production of AOC-designated Baux-de-Provence wine and olive oil. Other significant sectors include the cultivation of almonds and lavender, alongside a growing artisanal and boutique commerce sector catering to visitors. The presence of several renowned Michelin-starred restaurants, such as L'Oustalet de la Tour, also contributes to its gastronomic reputation.

Category:Communes of Bouches-du-Rhône Category:Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur