The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"!
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Provence - The Light

By Chris Scheuer | Updated on September 8, 2025

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The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"!

''Man has painted in this region (Provence) since he began to paint, if there is something in the air of Vienna that renders its citizen's musical, something in the drink of Dublin that confers agility in speech upon its populace, then surely there is something in the light of France.''  - from the book RUNNING IN PLACE Scenes From the South of France by Nicholas Delbanco.

I've always heard that many artists, including Vincent Van Gogh, have been drawn to Provence because of "the light". I never really understood that until now. Scott and I are spending a week blogging from Provence and have had the opportunity to explore the area by taking long bike and car rides through the beautiful countryside, visiting charming hillside villages and mingling with the lovely people of Provence. Scott has taken a zillion pictures as we've wandered, and we now understand why artists are magnetically drawn to this area. The light is really quite magical, and I thought the best way to explain it is with his photography.

The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"! The Light in Provence is like nothing else in the world. Lots of artists, including Van Gosh, have been drawn to Provence because of "The Light"!

You see what I mean? It's crazy! I'm no Van Gogh but, after visiting this lovely little corner of the world I totally understand "the light". I hope we've given you a little glimpse into the captivating light, as well.

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27 Comments

  1. Wow!!!, Amazing Photography I feel I must go, visit now in a way it reminds me of Italy's, Tuscany thanks so much for Sharing your adventure keep,traveling please so I can see the world through yours and Scotts eyes.

    Reply

    1. Scott says, "Super thanks, Danielle!" We had such a memorable time tromping through Provence. I think there's a piece of our heart still over there!

      Reply

    1. Thanks so much Grace! Provence has such a magic to it - the history, the people, the foods and, of course, the landscape and light!

      Reply

  3. Thank you for sharing your trip and photos-- they're beautiful! I think I'll have to take my husband there someday!

    Reply

  4. What a fun trip Chris. My favorite picture was looking through the golden leaves, down on the town and to what appears to be a church in the center, with that perfect mountain in the background. I love pictures like that.

    I hope the terrorists in Paris are not putting a damper on your beautiful trip?

    Reply

  6. Hello Antonia,

    Of course, feel free to send some of our photos. It might even be easier to send them a link to the website. Either way is fine. So nice to “meet” you! How blessed you are to have a home here.

    Reply

  8. Be still my ♥
    I remember the light in Provence..but in Sept..it was beautiful then and looks beautiful now..so cool you ride your bikes:)
    The first pic..paves the way..and the flautist and artist..so sweet..

    Reply

    1. Monique, two foodies like us have to ride to keep ourselves in shape after tasting all that delicious food and wine!

      Reply

  9. What a wonderful, gorgeous corner of the world! Lovely - thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply

    1. We went to the market this morning right here in Apt and one of the locals said, "Welcome to Provence!" so sweetly and with such great sincerity, it warmed our hearts!

      Reply

  10. A photo book of Provence! I love this idea. 🙂 Stunning photos and they all make me wish I were there with you.

    Reply

    1. We had wondered if we missed them while we've been here this past week, it's been very mild with just a very pleasant breeze each day.

      Reply

    1. We're funny about that Karin. We came up with the decision to go to Provence when we decided the date on going over to visit our daughter's family in London. Scott and I had both wanted to go to Provence for a while. Apt was kind of a wild guess, based on AirBnB apartment reviews (which we used for the first time). It seemed centrally located and a great home base. We love to find an apartment and stay a week and day trip from there, instead of moving every night or two. We try to blend into the community and feature things we discover. Our daily trips often are planned a day or less in advance, based on our research and the current weather. The fun part about traveling like that is the unexpected surprise places and people you discover!

      Reply

  16. Beautiful photos. Except for the water, bridge and a few of the buildings, these scenes could be just outside the City of Santa Rosa, CA. All the vineyards and trees here have changed colors. The light can also be the same. We have incredible restaurants and produce as well.

    Reply