Welcome to Espace Van Gogh! Step inside and you'll be greeted by lush greenery, beautiful flowers, and colorful arcades. Trust me, you'll feel like you've walked right into one of Van Gogh's paintings. Well, you actually have! The spirit of the painter is ever-present here, but don't be fooled – this isn't a space dedicated to his work. You're in the former cloister of the Hôtel-Dieu, built way back in the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1542, the Archbishop of Arles decided to close down all 32 charities in the city and merge them into a single one. At the time, the city was prosperous and all about modernization. Then, around 1830, a major cholera outbreak hit, and they added three additional wings to the building to accommodate the sick. In 1888, Vincent Van Gogh suffered serious psychological crises. You must have heard of the whole ear-cutting incident, right? Well, he was actually admitted here, at the Hôtel-Dieu in Arles. This place inspired many of his paintings, like the one you see at the entrance. It's his famous "Garden of the Hospital in Arles" and you're standing right in the middle of it! The sunshine and laid-back vibes of Provence definitely left a mark on the Dutch painter; the south was nothing like his birthplace, aka the gloomy north. So no wonder the charming little town of Arles was a source of inspiration for the artist! If you're familiar with his work, keep an eye out, for you might see some of his famous paintings come to life all around the city!