Tracing the Footsteps of Van Gogh with Friends.

Janet and her husband have a charming home in the French countryside, where she invited Ana and I over for lunch on a Thursday afternoon.

After successfully figuring out the train ticket machine and boarding the right train on the right track, we headed for the countryside.
Janet started the afternoon off with an elegant and refined version of the official French aperitif, drink, "Kir Royal".

The official aperitif, known as a "Kir" is white wine mixed with Creme de Cassis (black currant liquor). The refined version, which Janet served is made with Champagne and is known as "Kir Royal".

After a fabulous lunch...lots of laughter, recipe sharing and "girl talk".
Janet, Ana and I headed out to trace the footsteps of Van Gogh through the town of Auvers-sur Oise, North of Paris.

May of 1890, Vincent Van Gogh arrived in Auvers-sur-Oise. He painted various landscapes and subjects in the town to keep his mind off his illness for the last 2 months of his life.
Sadly, in July 1890, he went into one of the local fields, shot himself in the chest and staggered back to his room at the Ravoux Inn. He died 2 days later in the presence of his brother Theo.

To read more visit:
http://www.tfsimon.com/auvers-sur-oise.html

"Kir Royal"
Signs posted where Van Gogh set up his easle.
Cafe at the Ravoux Inn.
It's wine racks, embroidered curtains, and ten oak tables are all the same home-like atmosphere of yesteryear's cafes. At the Inn, guest are treated to the same local dishes and family cuisine that Van Gogh appreciated so much at the time.

Painting of the Village Steps by Van Gogh.

Janet and Ana near the village steps.

Ahh, the smell of the French country.

Van Gogh and his brother Theo's resting place.

An Auvers Country terrace.

Touching the bronze Van Gogh in the park brings good luck!
The fields of Auvers that Van Gogh Painted.

The Canola Flowers brilliant color in the fields of Auvers-sur-Oise.

"Auvers is very beautiful...really, it is seriously beautiful, set as it is against a vast countryside that's typical and picturesque" - letter from Vincent to Theo, 21 May 1890