Vincent van Gogh cycle route Breda
This Van Gogh cycle route takes you past the Van Gogh highlights in and around Breda and Tilburg. There is a lovely connecting loop between both cities which takes you past woodland, heathland, ponds, country estates and pastures. It is typical of the sur
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Vincent van Gogh, one of the world’s most famous artists was born and bred in Brabant (Zundert 1853). Although Vincent was a great lover of nature and the Brabant countryside, he also loved the dynamism and the distractions of the big city, and he thought that Paris was wonderful. Vincent had visited Tilburg and Breda (Princenhage) in his youth, either while he was at school or when visiting family.
This Van Gogh cycle route takes you past the Van Gogh highlights in and around Breda and Tilburg. There is a lovely connecting loop between both cities which takes you past woodland, heathland, ponds, country estates and pastures. It is typical of the surroundings from which Van Gogh took his inspiration.
Vincent van Gogh’s g…
Vincent van Gogh, one of the world’s most famous artists was born and bred in Brabant (Zundert 1853). Although Vincent was a great lover of nature and the Brabant countryside, he also loved the dynamism and the distractions of the big city, and he thought that Paris was wonderful. Vincent had visited Tilburg and Breda (Princenhage) in his youth, either while he was at school or when visiting family.
This Van Gogh cycle route takes you past the Van Gogh highlights in and around Breda and Tilburg. There is a lovely connecting loop between both cities which takes you past woodland, heathland, ponds, country estates and pastures. It is typical of the surroundings from which Van Gogh took his inspiration.
Vincent van Gogh’s grandfather, who was also called Vincent, was the preacher at the Grote Kerk church in Breda, the starting point of this cycle route, for more than thirty years (1822-1853). Vincent made just one drawing of his grandfather. Vincent van Gogh also had an uncle with the same first name who had a good reputation in the art world and lived in a beautiful villa in Princenhage for many years. He had a substantial art collection in ‘Huize Mertersem’. Vincent went there often during the time he was living in Etten.
Grandfather Van Gogh died in 1874 and ‘Uncle Cent’ in 1888. Their graves can be visited in the Haagveld Protestant Cemetery in the Haagweg. You cycle along the road to the Princenhage part of the town. There are informative audio columns at the Grote Kerk church, the villa and the cemetery.
How does the Van Gogh cycle route work?
The Van Gogh cycle route forms part of the cycle route network in Brabant. There is a Van Gogh cycle route sign at every intersection. Follow the Van Gogh cycle route signs from one numbered intersection to the other. Follow the cycle route network signs between the intersections. Ten short routes in the form of loops have been marked out. The routes are joined together by linking sections.
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Routes reporting point
Routes reporting pointIf there is something wrong on the route, report it here.
Sights on this route
Starting point
Haagsemarkt
4813 Breda
Navigate to starting point
Villa Mertersem
Villa Mertersem can be found in the neighbourhood Princehage in Breda. Vincent's uncle Cent lived here.
Grote Kerk Breda
After viewing the church and admiring the current exhibitions, you can also climb the tower or take a guided tour.
De Kogelvanger
Restaurant and bicycle café De Kogelvanger is the ideal base for exploring Breda’s luscious green environment.
Story of the route
- Villa Mertersem with audio column
Vincent’s rich godfather, the art dealer also called Vincent van Gogh, lived in Villa Mertersem. Vincent visited him from Etten, together with his artist friend Anthon van Rappard, to admire his extensive collection of art. Oom (Uncle) Cent helped Vincent to get started as an art dealer and later as an artist. There is a Van Gogh audio column next to the villa
- Graves of grandparents and Uncle Cent
The old entrance to the Haagveld Protestant cemetery is on the Haagweg, opposite house number 305. This cemetery contains the gravestones of Vincent’s grandparents and Uncle ‘Cent’.
- Grote Kerk in Breda with audio column
You are standing by the Grote (Big) or Our Lady of Breda Church on the Grote Markt. Vincent knew Breda well, as his grandparents lived there and his father, aunts and uncles had grown up there. The Van Gogh family came to Breda because Vincent’s grandfather was the preacher at the Grote Kerk church from 1822 and at the Royal Military Academy from 1828. There is an audio column in the Grote Kerk.
- Visitor tip: Van Gogh Mural Breda
Tip: you can make a 1 kilometre diversion from your route at junction 80 to visit an unusual mural. The mural by graffiti artist Joren Joshua was inspired by Vincent van Gogh. The mural can be seen in the Terheijdenstraat near the railway viaduct. Photo: Edwin Wiekens.
- Ginnekenmarkt
The Ginnekenmarkt with its many bars and street cafes has the ambiance of a Paris square. In the evening it especially reminds us of ‘Café Terrace at Night’ that Vincent painted in the French city of Arles in 1888. This is the perfect place to take a break!
- Markdal
The cycle route winds through the Markdal valley beside the River Mark, a paradise for birds. Vincent often went out and about to experience and paint the river landscapes.
- Visitor tip: Kapucijnen Monastery in Meersel-Dreef
If you have some time to spare, you can make a small diversion and visit the Flemish village of Meersel-Dreef. Cycle from junction 43 to junction 31 and then towards junction 30. You will arrive at the Kapucijnen (Capuchin) Monastery at Dreef 38 in Meersel-Dreef. The terrace is a perfect place to take a break. The Maria Park opposite with its Lourdes Grotto is a well-known place of pilgrimage.
- Mastbos
The Mastbos wood near Breda is one of the oldest cultivated woods in the Netherlands. The woods provided timber for the Spanish Fleet and masts for the Dutch East India Company ships. Nowadays it’s an impressive walking area with ancient trees and stately avenues.
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