Van Gogh cycle route Tilburg

On 15 September 1866, the then thirteen-year-old Vincent van Gogh was registered in the Tilburg population register. After primary school in Zundert and two years of boarding school in Zevenbergen, Vincent became a student at the Rijks-HBS Koning Willem II, now Paleis-Raadhuis (starting point of this cycle route).

Here the young Van Gogh received his first real drawing lessons from Constant Huysmans. Although he was a valued teacher, he did not have a major influence on the idiosyncratic Van Gogh. In the second grade, Vincent left the HBS early for unknown reasons and then sat at home for a while. When Vincent was sixteen, he got a job at the Goupil & Cie art dealership in The Hague. His 'Uncle Cent' was co-owner there.

In the textile city of Tilburg, the home weavers left a lasting impression on Van Gogh. Later he visited them again in Nuenen to serve as a model. The oppressive interior scenes he depicted there – including those with the potato eaters – are among the most powerful works of his Brabant period.

Vincent walked home from the HBS in Tilburg. At the time, he was living with the Hannik family at Korvel 57 (now Sint Annaplein 18-19; also called Van Goghplein). It is worth deviating a bit from the route and visiting this square, which has a few nice references to Van Gogh. The route that Vincent walked then, you will now cycle. And then you can pedal on and enjoy the beautiful Alphen, various estates and forest and heathlands. Here you feel like a real nature person, just like Van Gogh.

"... I live in one of the suburbs of London, where it is relatively quiet, it has something of Tilburg, or so -..."
Vincent van Gogh in a letter to his brother Theo, Brixton, 13 June 1873

Cycle a bit to ...
Please note: not all sights are located directly on this cycle route. You have to deviate a bit from the route for:

• Saint Anne's Square
• Vincent's Drawing Room
• Van Gogh Mural

How does the Van Gogh cycle route work?
The Van Gogh cycle route is set out via the Brabant junction system. Under each junction sign you will find a Van Gogh cycle route sign. Simply follow the Van Gogh cycle route signs from one numbered junction to another. Between the nodes you follow the signage of the junction system.

Cycle route app
Tip: cycle this route with the Fietsroute app from Fietsnetwerk. Put the app on your mobile phone and open the 'Van Gogh cycle route Tilburg'. The app guides you along the cycle route. Along the way, see drawings, paintings, and read about Vincent's life. Download the Cycle Route app for free in the App Store or Play Store.

Routes hotline
Is there something wrong with the signage or the route? Report this via the Brabant Node Routes Hotline. You can also call 0800-4050050 (toll-free).