Van Gogh Village Nuenen
Berg 29, Nuenen, 5671 CA
Artist Vincent van Gogh spent two years living in Nuenen—often called Van Gogh Village—and today this Dutch town serves as an open-air museum in his honor. The local Vincentre hosts a multimedia exhibition documenting Van Gogh’s time in Nuenen, and a cycling route connects a number of locations linked to the artist's years there.
The basics
Nuenen’s Vincentre visitor center serves as a good starting point for walking tours of the village. Its permanent exhibition includes interviews with locals who knew Van Gogh, an overview of his travels before arriving in Nuenen in 1883, and recordings of passages from letters he wrote while staying in Nuenen. Visitors can then walk or cycle along the route that passes more than 20 locations related to the artist’s stay in Nuenen, 14 of which were painted by Van Gogh on at least one occasion. Information columns mark most of the sites to provide visitors with explanations about their significance.
Things to know before you go
- Van Gogh produced a quarter of his works in Nuenen—including The Potato Eaters, often considered his first masterpiece—so art enthusiasts will enjoy recognizing the landmarks and cityscapes from his paintings.
- There is a shorter walking route between a few locations associated with Van Gogh, suitable for younger visitors.
- Adding to the sights, Nuenen is also home to a number of charming windmills and watermills.
- The town is flat with wide, paved sidewalks that are easy to manage with a stroller or wheelchair.
How to get there
The village of Nuenen is located between Eindhoven and Helmond in the Netherlands, and buses run regularly from the Eindhoven station, making the trip in about 20 minutes. This area is also a popular cycling destination and there are a number of Van Gogh–themed cycling routes between Nuenen and the nearby villages.
When to get there
With the exception of the visitor center's permanent exhibition, most of the Van Gogh–related sights in Nuenen are outdoors, so schedule your visit for a clear day. Spring and fall are particularly good times of year to visit if you plan on walking or cycling along the Van Gogh route.
Van Gogh destinations in the Netherlands
Nuenen is in the Dutch province of Brabant, where Vincent van Gogh was born and spent much of his youth. A number of Brabant villages and locations associated with his life and work now house cultural centers, themed walking and cycling paths, and other attractions. Top destinations include the Vincent van Gogh Huis in Zundert, the Van Gogh Church in Etten-Leur, and a collection of Van Gogh’s works in the Het Noordbrabants Museum in 's-Hertogenbosch.
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