Saint Paul de Mausole Monastery

Team out of Town Hub (www.outoftownblog.com) – An outstanding masterpiece of Roman architecture, the Monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole is a renowned health institution that dates back from the 11th century. The monastery is worth visiting in Provence for its beautiful scenery, the psychiatric historical background that dates back from the 19th century, and the rooms where the famous painter Vincent Van Gogh has stayed.

History of Monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole

Originally established in the year 1000, the structure situated on the foothill of the mountain Alpilles serve as a monastery for monks with the sole purpose of assisting individuals suffering from functional capacity, mainly dementia. In 1789, during the Revolution, the monastery was bought by three laymen from Saint-Rémy and later bought by Dr. Mercurin in 1807. When Dr. Mercurin acquired the monastery, he then established a psychiatric asylum, and after he died in 1874, the asylum was inherited by his successors. The prominent institution was supported by nuns from several congregations to assist in treating patients and the elderly.

During 1906, Mr. Aubert de la Castille, as one of the successors, donated the monastery to the Sisters Saint-Joseph de Vesseaux Congregation in Ardèche. To maintain the purpose of the monastery, Mr. Aubert stated that the House Saint-Paul health center, the psychiatric asylum, must be maintained in the monastery. From 1889 to 1890, the most famous and prominent Dutch painter in the history of Western Art, Vincent Van Gogh, was treated in the monastery and later treated for his illness.

With the success of treating Vincent Van Gogh, the monastery has gained recognition in the psychiatric and cultural field. As the monastery continuously developed, several treatments are now being offered in the Monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole. Under the 1901 Living and Becoming-Villepinte-Saint Michel Associations, the monastery offer a short-term psychiatric facility to especially treat women in the Clinique Saint-Paul and Clinique Van Gogh unit; Les Iris and Les Oliviers, a reception center specifically catered to the disabled; and a cultural facility the Art Therapy Valetudo, exemplifying mental disorders through immersing patients in art and culture.

The Arrival of Vincent Van Gogh

On May 8, 1889, Vincent Van Gogh voluntarily submitted himself to the psychiatric institution at the former monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole. He had several psychiatric episodes and delusions, and later on, cut off his left ear prompting him to submit himself to the monastery.

With the compassionate treatment provided by the nuns and nurses and the soothing atmosphere and picturesque landscape at the monastery, Vincent Van Gogh was inspired, leading him to create 143 oil paintings, over 100 drawings within 53 weeks. Some of his notable works include Starry Night, The Irises, Vincent Room in Arles, La sieste, Vase with Iris, Olive Orchard, and Wheatfield with cypress.

How to get there

Visiting the Monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, is reachable through riding a bus or a Light Rail. Several transit lines have routes to reach the Monastery, including Bus 054, 057, 060, 608. If you come from Mollégès, it is closer to the Monastery and can be reached in 39 minutes. And if you are coming from Mouriès, Southern France, the travel duration is 220 minutes.

Entrance Fee

The entrance fee in the Monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole is €6, and bus tours can range over P23,000 per person; prices vary based on the number of people per group tour.

References

• How to get to Monastère Saint-Paul De Mausole in Saint-Rémy-De-Provence by Bus or Light Rail, Moovit
• SAINT PAUL DE MAUSOLE MONASTERY, Avignon
• Welcome to Saint-Paul de Mausole, Saint Paul de Mausole
  Janis, (2021),
• Visiting the Monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, Our World for you

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Also read: Four Architecturally Magnificent Monasteries Around The World.