8 reasons why you should visit Vincent's Homeland
Anyone wanting to know more about Vincent van Gogh simply cannot ignore Brabant. The master painter was born here and lived and worked here for a large part of his life. And that moulded him as a man and a painter. Discover for yourself the places in Brabant which remind us of Van Gogh and tread literally in his footsteps.
1. Van Gogh in the Noordbrabants Museum
This is the only place in North Brabant where you can admire original works by the world-renowned artist! The Noordbrabants Museum in ’s-Hertogenbosch is recommended for people of all ages. Experience Vincent van Gogh’s years in Brabant through his paintings, and with animations, films and soundtracks developed especially for the museum. What did Van Gogh’s Brabant look like? And how did this initially misunderstood artist grow to become an icon? And while you are in the city, visit the Design Museum Den Bosch or take a boat trip through the Binnendieze underground waterway!
2. Discover Van Gogh by bike!
What could be nicer than discovering Van Gogh’s world by bike? The Van Gogh Cycle Route passes through Brabant communities that have a special connection with Van Gogh, such as Zundert, Tilburg, Etten-Leur, Nuenen, Helvoirt and 's-Hertogenbosch. The total route is no less than 435 kilometres and comprises 10 route sections. Order the cycle route maps via the Routes in Brabant webshop.
3. Visit Van Gogh Village Nuenen
Whenever you say Van Gogh, you’re saying ‘Nuenen’... Van Gogh’s very first masterpiece - the Potato Eaters - was painted here in 1885. In Van Gogh Village Museum you can get to know Vincent as a person and follow his development to become a world-famous painter. But that’s not all! More than 23 locations in this charming, picturesque village remind us of Vincent, so Nuenen has every right to call itself a ‘Van Gogh Village’.
4. Van Gogh Church in Etten-Leur
After his attempts to become an art dealer, a teacher and a preacher, the 28-year-old Vincent once again went to live with his parents in Etten. Not only did he fall in love for the first time here, it was here that he pursued his dream to become an artist. Unusual memories are there for the taking in the Van Gogh Church in Etten-Leur, including his father Theodorus van Gogh’s original pulpit.
5. The most innovative cycle path in the Netherlands
Experience the most innovative and artistic cycle path in the Netherlands! The 600-metre-long Van Gogh-Roosegaarde Cycle Path – located between Nuenen and Eindhoven – contains thousands of small stones that reflect light after dark, inspired by the world-famous Starry Night. No other cycle path could be so romantic… This unique section of cycle route is part of the Van Gogh route in Eindhoven.
6. Van Gogh Murals
Back to the place where Vincent van Gogh was born in 1853… The Van GoghHuis in Zundert conjures up wonderful memories of Vincent’s younger years. Imagine you are in the Van Gogh family’s living room. Tip: combine your visit with a walk through Zundert or across the Oude Buisse Heide heathland, the place where Vincent wandered for hours in his youth. You can find the grave of Vincent’s older stillborn brother in the churchyard of the Protestant Church in Zundert where Van Gogh’s father was the minister. He was born precisely one year before Vincent.
7. Vincent’s birthplace
Vincent’s art room is the only location in the Netherlands where anyone can draw on digital drawing boards. The art room was opened in 2009 in the Tilburg Paleis-Raadhuis (City Hall), where Vincent had received his first drawing lessons. Vincent’s art room is now located in the Ontdekstation013 (Discovery Station 013) in the Spoorzone, the former railway yards. A great place for children and adults! There is plenty more to discover in the Spoorzone in Tilburg, such as the Spoorpark with its wonderful lookout tower, and the LocHal, proclaimed the ‘World Building of the Year’.
8. Draw in the style of Vincent
You will find impressive Van Gogh murals in the Brabant cities of Breda, Eindhoven, Tilburg, ’s-Hertogenbosch and Helmond. In all these artworks, the central theme is Van Gogh and his family’s links with the railways, with trains, with stations, with travel and with Brabant. You will also find the murals in the Routes in Brabant app. If you cycle along the Van Gogh route with this app, it will show you how to get to them.
-
Van Gogh Brabant
Learn more about Vincent van Gogh
Vincent's homeland -
Magazine
Looking for more inspiration, subscribe to our VisitBrabant Magazine
Subscribe for free