Vincent van Gogh cycle route Etten-Leur South
Cycle through Etten-Leur, passing five exceptional Van Gogh Monuments.
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The Van Gogh family lived in Etten from 1875 to 1882. Father Theodorus was the pastor there. For Vincent van Gogh, Etten was a sanctuary that he regularly visited during those years. It was where he had his first art studio and worked day and night on his studies, sketches and drawings. Later, in France, he painted the colourful and imaginative ‘Memory of the Garden at Etten’ (Arles, 1888).
On this Van Gogh cycle route, you are first introduced to five Van Gogh Monuments in the centre of Etten-Leur, including the Van Gogh Church. Highly recommended for a visit. Informative audio columns next to the Moeierboom (Linden tree) and Vincent van Gogh’s statue in the courtyard garden tell the story of his arrival in and departure from Etten.
You cycle to the surrounding villages of …
The Van Gogh family lived in Etten from 1875 to 1882. Father Theodorus was the pastor there. For Vincent van Gogh, Etten was a sanctuary that he regularly visited during those years. It was where he had his first art studio and worked day and night on his studies, sketches and drawings. Later, in France, he painted the colourful and imaginative ‘Memory of the Garden at Etten’ (Arles, 1888).
On this Van Gogh cycle route, you are first introduced to five Van Gogh Monuments in the centre of Etten-Leur, including the Van Gogh Church. Highly recommended for a visit. Informative audio columns next to the Moeierboom (Linden tree) and Vincent van Gogh’s statue in the courtyard garden tell the story of his arrival in and departure from Etten.
You cycle to the surrounding villages of Hoeven and St Willebrord. Vincent visited Hoeven (colloquially called ‘the Hoeve’) with his father, who was the assistant pastor there. Vincent also went to St Willebrord (’t Heike), where Cornelis Schuitemaker lived, one of his favourite models at the time, whom he often drew. There is an audio column in the centre of Hoeven as well as in St Willebrord.
Where Van Gogh found his artistic calling
This route starts at the Van Gogh Church in Etten-Leur, which houses a permanent exhibition. Several themes take you through Vincent’s story in Etten, including why he came here, what he searched for and what he found. Find out all about his struggles with drawing, his love for the landscape, for simple people and for his cousin Kee Vos, as well as his heartbreak and blazing row with his father. It is an unmissable, compelling and colourful story. You will find a Van Gogh audio column next to the statue of Vincent in the courtyard garden behind the Van Gogh Church.
The bronze statue of Vincent van Gogh in the courtyard garden, near the old council offices, is a piece by Hein Vree. The statue dates from 1990, the year marking the 100th anniversary of Van Gogh’s death. The statue is roughly on the same spot where the Reformed parsonage stood until the early 20th century, a place where Vincent stayed temporarily. There is an audio column by the statue, where Vincent takes you along on one of his walks through the Etten-Leur of that time.
The Old Town Hall, the former council offices, is now a Van Gogh Monument. Van Gogh registered here as an artist for the first time in 1881. The building dates from 1776.
The Van Gogh Monument the Saint Lambertus Church is a neo-Gothic cross basilica from 1877. The church is depicted on several of Vincent van Gogh’s drawings.
Museum Sint Paulushofje is also on the Markt, with the Heemkundig Streekmuseum Jan Uten Houte. This local history museum includes an authentic farmhouse room.
At intersection 50, you will find the Bisschopsmolen, a water mill in Etten, built in 1744. The windmill functioned as a grain mill until 1959. During his Brabant period, Vincent made numerous drawings and paintings of mills and water mills. It is likely that he drew De Weltevreden windmill on Roosendaalseweg, Etten-Leur, in the spring of 1881 (it was demolished in 1974).
Once you reach the end of this Van Gogh Cycle Route, be sure to take some time to explore the city itself! You can go shopping in Winkelhart Etten-Leur, for example. This shopping centre is open six days a week. Enjoy a well-deserved lunch or dinner in one of Etten-Leur’s many lovely cafés and restaurants.
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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Signposting Van Gogh Cycle Route
Follow the signs with 'Van Gogh Route'. These are placed underneath the regular junction signs.
Signposting Van Gogh Cycle Route
Follow the signs with 'Van Gogh Route'. These are placed underneath the regular junction signs.
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Hotline routes
Hotline routesIf there is something wrong on the route, report it here.
Tips from Brabant residents
Skip map elementsLocations on this route
Van Gogh Etten-Leur
Experience the beginnings of Van Gogh's artistic career in Etten-Leur! Discover his world in the Van Gogh Church with an impressive multimedia experience and travel back in time at the Sint Paulushofje Museum, where village life inspired him. One ticket, two unique locations, one story.
Site of the vicarage with Vincent’s first studio.
Vincent van Gogh had his first studio in the vicarage in Etten-Leur. The actual building is no longer there but a statue marks the spot.
De Menmoerhoeve
At De Menmoerhoeve campsite, restaurant and activity farm, you can enjoy everything the countryside has to offer. If there’s anywhere you can literally immerse yourself in the Brabant farming life, it’s at this recreational farm.
Trouwkerkje / Wedding Church Etten-Leur
The Dutch Reformed Church in Leur (Etten-Leur North) dates from 1614 and is a national monument.
Old Town Hall Etten-Leur
The old council offices (also known as the Meeting Centre) was the former town hall of Etten-Leur. It was here that Vincent van Gogh first registered himself as an artist.
Lambertus Church Etten-Leur
Vincent van Gogh made various sketches and drawings which show the Lambertus Church.
Hotel Restaurant ‘t Witte Paard
With the intimate hospitality of a family hotel, the Herberg & Wijnwinkel ’t Witte Paard (White Horse Inn & Wine Shop) in Etten-Leur offers everything that lovers of the good things in life will appreciate.
Van Gogh Etten-Leur
Experience the beginnings of Van Gogh's artistic career in Etten-Leur! Discover his world in the Van Gogh Church with an impressive multimedia experience and travel back in time at the Sint Paulushofje Museum, where village life inspired him. One ticket, two unique locations, one story.
Story of the route
Van Gogh Etten-Leur
Experience the beginnings of Van Gogh's artistic career in Etten-Leur! Discover his world in the Van Gogh Church with an impressive multimedia experience and travel back in time at the Sint Paulushofje Museum, where village life inspired him. One ticket, two unique locations, one story.
- Van Gogh Church, Markt 4, Etten-Leur
There is a permanent exhibition in the Van Gogh Church. You can experience Vincent’s life in Etten through a number of themes. There is a Van Gogh audio column next to the statue of Vincent van Gogh in the courtyard garden behind the Van Gogh Church.
- Vincent van Gogh statue with audio column
The bronze statue of Vincent van Gogh in the inner courtyard of the council offices is a work by Hein Vree. The statue stands more or less on the spot where the reformed rectory was situated until the beginning of the twentieth century and where Vincent lived for a while. There is an audio column next to the statue through which Vincent takes you on his walk around Etten as it was in his time.
- Moeierboom tree, Etten-Leur with audio column
In the summer of 1881 Vincent’s cousin Kee Vos was staying at the rectory. Vincent fell madly in love with her, but when he declared his love she answered resolutely; No, nay, never! There is an audio column next to the Moeierboom tree (from an old Dutch word for ‘mother’) on the Markt, where Vincent describes his feelings for Kee Vos. The Moeierboom tree was planted in 1675 and is one of the most unusual trees in the Netherlands.
- Oude Raadhuis, Markt 1, Etten-Leur
Van Gogh Monument. Het Oude Raadhuis (The Old Town Hall) was formally the council offices. Van Gogh registered himself here as an artist for the first time in 1881. The building dates from 1776.
- Lambertuskerk, Markt 62, Etten-Leur
Van Gogh Monument. The Sint-Lambertuskerk (St Lambert’s Church) is a neogothic basilica in the shape of a cross and dates from 1877. The church features in several of Vincent van Gogh’s drawings.
- Heemkundig Streekmuseum Jan Uten Houte, Markt 53 to 61, Etten-Leur
The Jan Uten Houte regional historical museum is housed in the Paulushofje, a listed monument. The museum contains an authentic farmhouse room.
- Bisschopsmolen windmill, Etten-Leur
The Bisschopsmolen is a windmill in Etten, constructed in 1744. The mill was used to grind corn until 1959. Vincent made numerous drawings and paintings of windmills and watermills during his time in Brabant.
- Menmoerhoeve
The 'Menmoerhoeve' is an official Brabants Fietscafé; a Brabant Bicycle Café. In these bicycle cafés, cyclists are made to feel especially welcome! You can stop by for a delicious bite to eat or a refreshing drink, and make use of facilities such as a repair kit, bicycle pump and e-bike charging station. These bicycle cafés can be recognised by the hexagonal 'Brabants Fietscafé' sticker on the window. - St. Willebrord Church with audio column
Cornelis Schuitemaker, one of Vincent’s favourite models and the only Protestant in the village, lived in St. Willebrord. In 1881 he posed for Vincent van Gogh’s famous drawings ‘Worn Out’ and ‘Farmer by the Fire’. There is an audio column near the church in St. Willebrord, next to the Processional Park, which reminds us of Cornelis Schuitemaker.
- Etten-Leur centre
When you have finished this Van Gogh Cycle Route, be sure to take time to explore the town itself! For example, you can do some shopping in the Winkelhart Etten-Leur shopping centre. Enjoy a well-deserved lunch or dinner in one of Etten-Leur’s lively cafes or restaurants.
Van Gogh Etten-Leur
Experience the beginnings of Van Gogh's artistic career in Etten-Leur! Discover his world in the Van Gogh Church with an impressive multimedia experience and travel back in time at the Sint Paulushofje Museum, where village life inspired him. One ticket, two unique locations, one story.
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