The Auberge Ravoux and the Maison Van Gogh: a journey in the painter's footsteps at Auvers-sur-Oise (95)

Do you know the Auberge Ravoux? Nestled in Auvers-sur-Oise, this historic eatery is also home to the "Maison de Van Gogh", where you can follow in the illustrious Dutch painter's footsteps.

Some places are particularly steeped in history, such as theAuberge Ravoux, or " Van Gogh's House ", a listed historic monument. It was here that the famous Dutch painter lived out his last 70 days, in the heart of the charming village ofAuvers-sur-Oise, a haven for the Impressionists. In 1890, he rented a room barely 7m2 in size, lit by a small dormer window, no. 5, and spent his days painting and eating at the inn, surrounded by the Ravoux family.

Left as it was many years after his death, it was Dominique-Charles Janssens who bought the Auberge Ravoux in 1985, and with it a veritable page in art history! Since September 17, 1993, and after twenty months of renovation work, the Auberge Ravoux has welcomed Van Gogh enthusiasts and the curious who wish to discover this symbolic place, a quasi-pilgrimage, but also to eat at the table where the painter liked to sit.

But be warned: the Auberge Ravoux is not open all year round, and this year will be open until November 23, 2025, from 12pm to 6pm. Formerly a wine shop and restaurant since 1876, the place has retained its old-fashioned artists' café decor and authenticity, with a ground-floor dining room in its original state, between subdued lighting and curtains with period motifs, and just a dozen tables, which is why you'll need to book in advance if you want to be sure of enjoying it.

Upstairs, you'd almost have the impression that nothing had been renovated, so respectful was the work carried out that traces of cracks have been frozen in time, alongside beautiful wooden beams. There's a first room, Van Gogh's, entirely empty except for a chair, which no-one dared to live in after his suicide, and that of his neighbor, also a painter, Anton Hirschig, with its period furniture, before discovering a projection room with a short film in what was once another room.

But here too, access is deliberately restricted, to preserve the intimacy of the site and offer the curious a truly immersive and personal experience. Organized tours for small groups are available from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

We were lucky enough to be seated at the very back of the room, near the window where the owners liked to observe the comings and goings of their guests, just to keep an eye on the inn's reputation! It was at this table that Van Gogh practiced his passion for good wine and good food, but without excess, with just one dish. That's why you'll find a reduced menu for lunch, including charcuterie boards from Maison Verot, and cheese boards.

For starters, we opted for a sweet Burratina salad, with its lovely fresh, crunchy tomatoes, pine nuts that add crunch and a delicate balsamic cream, which marries perfectly with the creamy texture of the vegetarian-friendly burrata. For those who prefer animal products, a delicious duck foie gras, again from Maison Verot, awaits you, sprinkled with salt and pepper, a generous slice to be enjoyed with its artisan bread and a few grapes for a savory sweet-savory side.

For the main courses, you can choose between a dish of the day (pork shank when we visited), a duo of herring fillets and gravlax salmon, or a soup of the day. It was the latter, homemade of course, that we tasted, a multi-textured glazed pea velouté, between the crunch of the bread crouton, the lightness of the cream and the creaminess of the soup, combined with a touch of tangy lemon, for a very fresh ensemble.

If cookies were our thing, we had to try the chocolate mousse, an Auberge Ravoux staple, served in a huge pot from which all you have to do is ladle, more or less generously depending on how greedy you are that day! You could almost say that taking it in abundance isn't such a bad thing, since there's no added sugar, and its airy texture means you won't have it on your stomach when you finish your meal.

A very pleasant surprise was the wine served to accompany it, a house specialty, Cerdon! We were not familiar with this alcohol, a low-alcohol sparkling rosé wine, very sweet and fruity, a little delight. A simple but effective and tasty lunch, which gave us the impression of sharing a little of the life of the great painter Van Gogh, whose soul still seems to inhabit the building today...

Did you know? 5 unusual anecdotes about the Auberge Ravoux, Van Gogh's home in Auvers-sur-Oise
The Auberge Ravoux, a landmark in Auvers-sur-Oise, is best known for having been home to Vincent van Gogh's last days. But behind this reputation lie many surprising stories. Here are five more or less well-known anecdotes about this inn like no other! [Read more]