20 Best Things to Do in Auvers-Sur-Oise, France

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of Paris, Auvers-sur-Oise is the perfect antidote. I recently visited this picturesque village with a friend, and we both instantly fell in love with its serene atmosphere, hidden nooks, and unique attractions. Here are the 20 best things to do in Auvers-sur-Oise to help you make the most of your visit. You might be surprised by how much this quaint village has to offer.

20 Best Things to Do in Auvers-Sur-Oise, France

Start Your Day at Le Passage Café

Start your morning at Le Passage Café. The hot chocolate, toasts, bagels, and pancakes are simply delicious, and the welcoming staff will make you feel right at home.

It’s a perfect spot to grab a bite and plan your day before exploring the village. Plus, it’s conveniently located near The House of Van Gogh.

Address: 44 Rue de general de Gaulle

Tour Ravoux Inn / The House of Van Gogh

Ravoux Inn (L’Auberge Ravoux), also known as the House of Van Gogh, is a a must-see. This is where Van Gogh spent his final months before his tragic death.

Originally a family home, it became an inn in 1889, attracting artists from far and wide.

My friend and I booked an English tour of the House in advance through the Maison de Van Gogh website.

The tour was brief but engaging, packed with fascinating insights. Standing in room number 5, where Van Gogh lived and died from a gunshot wound, was incredibly moving. The room has been restored to its original state, and you can almost feel the artist’s presence.

We also peeked into room number 6, which was occupied by painter Anton Hirschig.

The tour concluded in the attic with an audiovisual presentation: ‘In the Footsteps of Van Gogh‘. It showcased Van Gogh’s life through his art, letters, and old photographs.

Note: Photography is not allowed inside, as it’s a memorial site. However, as a souvenir, we received a card with a QR code that allowed us to download three exclusive photographs.

Address: Place de la Mairie

Enjoy lunch at Ravoux Inn

After your tour, don’t miss the chance to dine at the Inn. The dining room, where Van Gogh once enjoyed meals, has been beautifully restored. The menu features a great selection of regional dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.

My friend and I enjoyed a cheese and charcuterie platter paired with a glass of Kir Royal – something I was inspired to try after watching ‘Emily in Paris.’ Everything was fresh and tasty, and the service was excellent.

While we were at the restaurant, we had the unexpected pleasure of meeting a man who showed us a mask of Van Gogh made by Italian mask maker Sergio Boldrin, the same artist behind the masks in Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Eyes Wide Shut.’ I couldn’t resist taking a few photos.

Address: Place de la Mairie

Follow The Artist’s Pathway 

Keep an eye out for the panels featuring reproductions of the works Van Gogh painted right in front of the scenes they depict. You can find them all around the village. At the tourist office, you can pick up a map that shows their locations. It’s a lot of fun to compare the actual scene with Van Gogh’s works.

Visit the City Hall

Take a look at the City Hall (Mairie), located directly across from Ravoux Inn. If you’re familiar with Van Gogh’s work, you might recognise it from one of his paintings.

Van Gogh captured the City Hall adorned with flags and banners for Bastille Day (France’s National Day) on July 14th, 1890, while sitting in front of Ravoux Inn.

Address: 17 Rue de general de Gaulle

Visit the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (L’Église Notre-Dame-de-L’Assomption) is a Romanesque church built in the 13th century. It’s definitely worth a visit, both for its exterior and its interior.

The church is primarily renowned for its association with Van Gogh, who painted it during his stay in Auvers-sur-Oise. His artwork, featuring a dreamlike and emotive interpretation of the church, is regarded as one of his masterpieces.

Not far from the church, near a tall stone wall, you’ll find the statue of Charles-François Daubigny. He was a prominent French painter and a key figure in the Barbizon school. His work had a significant influence on the development of Impressionism.

Address: Place de l'Eglise

Pay Tribute to Van Gogh and his brother Theo at the Municipal Cemetery

A short, picturesque walk through fields of wheat and corn will take you to the tranquil cemetery where Vincent and his brother Theo are laid to rest. Their graves are simple, covered in ivy and marked with sunflowers.

Despite being one of the most visited cemeteries in France, it felt quiet during our visit – perhaps due to the rainy weather.

The cemetery is open daily during daylight hours.

On your way back, take the Sente du Montier path to the spot where Van Gogh painted ‘Wheat Field with Crows‘.

Visit Doctor Gachet’s House

Doctor Gachet’s House (Maison du Docteur Gachet) is a charming hideaway on the outskirts of Auvers-sur-Oise, so be ready for a bit of a walk from the village centre.

The house is surrounded by a lovely garden filled with flowers and decorative plants.

From here, you can enjoy stunning views of the Oise Valley, dotted with picturesque farms and thatched-roof cottages.

Inside, there’s a small exhibition that offers insight into the life of Doctor Gachet, who was Van Gogh’s physician and confidant.

During his time in Auvers, Van Gogh frequently visited Doctor Gachet, just like other renowned artists including Auguste Renoir and Paul Cézanne.

Van Gogh created several notable works at the doctor’s house, including ‘Dr. Gachet’s Garden’ and a portrait of Gachet’s daughter, Marguerite.

On the way to the House of Doctor Gachet, we stumbled upon a local flea market, which takes place on the first Sunday of each month.

We were also lucky to catch a street performance by Batterie Fanfare Orchestra from Louvres.

Address: 78 Rue Gachet

Explore The Daubigny Museum

Explore The Daubigny Museum (La Maison Atelier de Daubigny) dedicated to the works of Charles-François Daubigny, a precursor of impressionism and a key figure in the Barbizon school of painters.

The museum is located in a mansion which was the artist’s former studio and home. It’s quite impressive with large windows opening out into nature, beautifully decorated walls, custom-designed fireplaces and friezes, and fairy-tale paintings created by the artist.

It’s worth noting that Vincent van Gogh admired Daubigny and visited him in this very house when he arrived in Auvers-sur-Oise. Daubigny’s garden inspired some of his paintings.

Address: Rue de La Sansonne

Capture a photo of the Pink House

Just 100 meters from the Daubigny Museum is The Pink House (La Maison Rose), the former workshop of the artist himself. Its charming pink ochre facade, covered in climbing plants, along with large windows and a warm orangey-red door, makes it hard to miss.

It’s definitely one of the most Instagram-worthy spots in Auvers. Here, Charles-François Daubigny collaborated with fellow artists like Corot, Daumier, and Cézanne as they prepared for exhibitions.

Address: 61 Rue Daubigny

Visit the spot that inspired Van Gogh’s ‘Tree Roots’

Visit the spot where Van Gogh is believed to have painted his final masterpiece, ‘Tree Roots’ (Les Racines de Van Gogh). This artwork depicts the intricate trunks and roots of trees on a hillside. For years, the exact location remained a mystery.

The breakthrough came when Wouter van der Veen, a Van Gogh expert, discovered a postcard from between 1900 and 1910 featuring the scene.

By comparing the painting, the postcard, and the current hillside, researchers from the Van Gogh Museum, along with a dendrologist, concluded that the spot at 46 Rue Daubigny in Auvers is likely where Van Gogh created his last painting.

You can book a guided tour of this site here.

Address: 46 Rue Daubigny

Find your muse at the Absinthe Museum

Learn about the intriguing history of absinthe, the drink beloved by poets, artists, and bohemians during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many considered absinthe to be their muse.

It’s quite an experience to sample absinthe, especially knowing that it was banned in Europe and the USA for nearly a century over fears it could drive people mad. So, if you start feeling a bit wierd, you might have an idea of why (lol).

Address: 44 rue Alphonse Calle

Take a look at Van Gogh’s statue

Check out the statue of Van Gogh located next to Tourist Office, in the park named in his honour. Created by Zadkine, it depicts Van Gogh with his easel and painting supplies slung over his shoulder.

While the park itself may not have anything particularly special, it makes for a nice spot to rest after hours of walking. And trust me, there’s plenty of walking to do in Auvers – unless you’re exploring the village by bike.

Address: Parc Van Gogh

Visit Boggio’s Studio

Discover the charming historic house of Emile Boggio (Les ateliers de Boggio), an Italian-Venezuelan pioneer of impressionism. He lived and worked here from 1910 to 1920.

Today, the house remains in the family, owned by Xavier Boggio, a painter and sculptor, who continues the artistic legacy.

Address: 47 Rue Emile Boggio

Marvel at the cheery murals and the colourful mailboxes

Keep an eye out for the charming mailboxes painted by local artist François Laval. He has adorned them with cheery motifs, often inspired by the Impressionists.

But the real showstopper are the vibrant murals that cover the entire underground passageway connecting the two train station platforms.

The address of the train station: Rue du Général de Gaulle 

Browse the old books at La Cavere aux Libres

Take some time to browse the old books at the quirky antiquarian bookshop La Cavere aux Libres located right next to the train station.

The building of this quirky shop extends into old postal carriages attached to it. Inside, you’ll find remnants of history, like the walls where mail was once sorted and the original chairs where postal workers sat.

You can also get a free map of Auvers Sur Oise while you’re there.

Address: Place de la Gare

Board the replica of Daubigny’s workshop boat

Hop aboard a replica of Charles François Daubigny’s workshop boat, La Botin, for a scenic tour along the Oise River.

The boat was reconstructed by a local association, and you can book your tour by contacting them directly. The schedule is flexible and will be adjusted based on demand and availability.

Address: 25 Rue Marcel Martin

See the exhibition at the Château d’Auvers

See the multimedia exhibition detailing the history of Impressionism at the Château d’Auvers.

The Château was built in the 17^th century by Italian financier Zanobi Lioni and features Italian-style architecture, terraced gardens, and a stunning belvedere. It was painted by both Van Gogh and Cézanne.

Address: Rue de Léry

Marvel at Villa Castel Val

If you have more time in Auvers and are willing to venture further from the village center, don’t miss the exquisite Art Nouveau masterpiece, Villa Castel Val.

This stunning home, perched on a scenic hillside, was designed by the renowned architect Hector Guimard in 1903.

4 Rue des Meulières

Visit the remains of the chapel St Nicolas

At the farthest point from the village center, you’ll find the remains of Chapel St. Nicolas. Likely constructed in the early 1200s, this chapel was once part of the St-Nicolas d’Auvers leprosarium. The ruins have been protected since 1948.

Address: Rue Simone le Danois

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Fast facts

Getting there

By train

From Paris du Nord station, take line H and change at Valmondois for the connection to Auvers-sur-Oise.

From Paris St Lazare, take line J and change at Pontoise for the connection to Auvers-sur-Oise.

There is also an Impressionist train line that operates from April to October on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays (departure at 9:38 AM and return at 6:15 PM).

I use the SNCF Connect app to check timetables and book my tickets while in France.

By car

Take the A15 towards Cergy-Pontoise, then the A115 towards Amiens-Beauvais, exiting at Mery-sur-Oise center towards Auvers-sur-Oise.

With a tour

Many tours can take you to Auvers-sur-Oise or even on an art history tour that includes another picturesque village Giverny. Here are some highly-rated private and group tours from Paris:

Giverny and Auvers-sur-Oise Full Day from Paris

Hiking Adventure in Van Gogh's Footsteps

Giverny and Auvers-sur-Oise Van Gogh Guided Day Tour from Paris

Staying in Auvers Sur Oise  

While you can see the main attractions of Auvers-sur-Oise in just one day, spending a weekend here lets you truly soak in the town’s atmosphere and explore its attractions at a relaxed pace.

For a cosy stay, check out Hotel Des Iris, located right across from Vincent van Gogh’s residence, Ravoux Inn. This charming hotel features comfortable rooms, a lovely garden, and a terrace – ideal for unwinding after a day of exploring.

Getting around Auvers Sur Oise  

You can easily explore Auvers-sur-Oise on foot, enjoying its charming streets and historic sites at your own pace. If you’d like to see more in less time, renting a bike is a good option.

You can rent bikes at the local tourist office. For a unique experience, consider boarding a replica of Charles François Daubigny’s boat for a picturesque tour along the Oise River.

Dining in Auvers Sur Oise  

I recommend dining at the Ravoix Inn, as it’s not only where Van Gogh sat at the back table, but it also features charming nineteenth-century décor and delicious, fresh meals.

The British tea room at the Hôtel des Iris is a nice place for a cup of tea and a sweet treat.

Locals recommend the Sous le Porche restaurant for its lovely terrace and exquisite dishes.

Staying connected while travelling in France

If you’re traveling to France and want to stay connected, I recommend using a prepaid data eSIM from GigSky. It allows you to use your phone and access data without the stress of high roaming charges.

I rely on many travel apps to navigate, and I like staying in touch with family and friends without overspending. I find GigSky reliable and very easy to activate compared to other eSIM providers.

Find out more about eSim data solutions for France here.