Vincent Van Gogh loved the seasons. In winter, he worked indoors a lot. But in spring, summer and autumn, he went out. Follow in Vincent's footsteps through Brabant. Discover surprising stories, places and natural areas, enjoy a walk or bike ride along the Van Gogh Monuments. Take beautiful photos and share them with us, on Instagram via: #vangoghbrabant #vangoghnationalpark
Van Gogh Monuments
Vincent van Gogh was born in Zundert. After visiting the Van GoghHuis, you can follow in the footsteps of this painter, and discover his roots that later so influenced his work. You can walk, bike or go on a guided tour by yourself.
At the museum's store in Zundert, they will be happy to help you.
Discover Zundert and its surroundings
In and around Etten-Leur, several locations still remind us of Vincent van Gogh. You will discover them while walking through the center. Or take a bike and enjoy the woods, heathland, fens and polders where Vincent also came.
Cycling routes Etten-Leur
In Nuenen, 24 locations recall Vincent van Gogh. Buildings, landscapes, even a special bike path.
Everyone can enjoy the many hiking trails, near the river Dommel, the water mills and windmills that can be seen in Nuenen and its surroundings. As it was, when Vincent walked there with his painting gear.
Mills. Typically Dutch. Mills are also part of the Brabant landscape. Vincent van Gogh loved windmills. During his years in Brabant, but also afterwards, he saw quite a few, described them in his letters, drew and painted them. In Brabant alone there are still about 130 polder, corn, wind and water mills. Very many mills are regularly open for visits.
Mills
Forests, heaths, fens, stream valleys, polders and sand drifts. Brabant's nature is slowly coming back to life after a beautiful winter. Discover Vincent's homeland this spring, with authentic villages, farms, estates, meandering streams, pollard willow and poplar lanes. These are the landscapes that inspired Vincent van Gogh. We introduce some of the gems - part of the Van Gogh National Park i.o. - from west to east.
Forests, fens and flowery meadows characterize the Pannenhoef, a beautiful nature reserve between Etten-Leur, Zundert, Rijsbergen and Sprundel, which covers no less than 706 hectares. Pure enjoyment in the nature where Vincent van Gogh found his inspiration.
The Liesbos is the lung between Breda and Etten-Leur. The approximately 200-hectare Liesbos belongs to the oldest forests of the Southern Netherlands and is the largest old summer oak forest in the Netherlands. In winter, the long lanes come into their own beautifully, and the majestic trees are reflected in the streams and ponds - all pomp and circumstance!
On the southern edge of Breda you will find the Mastbos. One of the oldest cultural forests in the Netherlands. It has existed in this form for over 500 years. Now it is an impressive walking area full of ancient trees. To the east is the enchanting Markdal.
National Park De Loonse en Drunense Duinen is over 3,500 hectares and is located between Tilburg, Helvoirt, Waalwijk and 's-Hertogenbosch. It is a unique shifting sand area and also has extensive forests, heaths and a beautiful lookout point.
A real natural pearl within National Landscape Het Groene Woud is the Kampina. This vast nature reserve of Natuurmonumenten lies between Oisterwijk and Boxtel and has a very varied landscape. Extensive heathlands, narrow streams and fens such as the Belversven, the Huisvennen and the Zandbergsvennen also provide beautiful images this winter.
A wet area created by numerous floods of the Dommel River. With fast-growing poplars and rich vegetation of hazel and cherry, this was one of Vincent van Gogh's favorite spots in his Nuenen period.
Between De Brabantse Kempen and Den Bosch, the Dommel River flows through a beautiful landscape: the Dommel Valley. A nature reserve consisting of characteristic wooded banks, hay fields, meadows, woods, heaths and pools. Along, or rather across, the Dommel several water mills were placed centuries ago.
The Stiphoutse Bossen lie on the border of Helmond, Lieshout, Nuenen and Gerwen. In the area there are a dozen beautiful larger and smaller fens. The Kamerven is by far the largest and a fine example of the landscape in which Vincent van Gogh worked. It is the only fens from that era in the area that has remained authentic.
Van Gogh Village Museum is the crowd puller.
You can additionally check out the many Van Gogh Monuments in Nuenen, including guided tours.
A visit to Etten-Leur begins with a visit to the Tourist Information Point and Van Gogh Kerk at Markt 4. Don't forget to take a selfie with the large wall behind the church. Etten-Leur is surprisingly versatile!
Etten-Leur
A visit to Zundert begins with a visit to the VVV and Vincent van GoghHuis. Don't forget to walk to the little church and the grave of Van Gogh's brother. Zundert shimmers!
Zundert
A visit to Helvoirt begins with a visit to the tourist office on Kloosterstraat.
Visit Het Noordbrabants Museum with the Van Gogh Room and real works from his Brabant period.
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