L’espace Van Gogh

It was incredible coincidence that the building where I had lunch at also happened to be an important site here in Arles. The L’espace Vang Gogh used to be the main hospital of Arles. The building didn’t really look like a hospital at all. There was a courtyard in the middle where patients can perhaps walk around. The hospital’s main claim to fame was that Vincent Van Gogh was a famous resident of the hospital. This happened when he famously cut off his left ear. In the period of his treatment he was staying here in the hospital. Not even hospitalization can stop Van Gogh from pursuing his painting. He produced paintings of the garden of the hospital.

These days, this place is no longer a hospital but a tourist attraction. There doesn’t seem to be too many visitors here either since there were only a handful of visitors present at the time I was visiting. Admittedly, the place wasn’t that interesting apart from it having something to do with Van Gogh. The hospital has been named L’espace Van Gogh in honor of their famous resident. There is actually a second floor to the old hospital but I couldn’t see if there is a way to get there. The garden in the courtyard has been replanted to replicate the scene of the painting. I never actually did see the painting of the garden. I think it would better if there were more signs about what went on here instead of just letting visitors randomly walking around.

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