Nuenen: A Day Trip to the Van Gogh Village

Nuenen is a charming village near Eindhoven in the province of North Brabant. Best known as the Van Gogh Village, it’s closely linked to the life and work of Vincent van Gogh, who lived and painted here in the 1880s. You can explore the sites that inspired his art and learn more about his life. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, Nuenen is also perfect for walking and cycling, making it a wonderful destination for a cultural and nature-filled day trip.

Is Nuenen worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you’re interested in Van Gogh or staying in Eindhoven. Nuenen isn’t a destination I’d prioritize over Amsterdam or Maastricht on a first trip to the Netherlands. However, it’s an excellent half-day or full-day trip from Eindhoven, combining Van Gogh heritage with the charm of a Brabant village and its surrounding countryside.

Sightseeing in Nuenen

Below are some of the most popular things to see in Nuenen.

Van Gogh Village Museum

In recent years, the museum in Nuenen underwent a major overhaul. The former “Vincentre” was completely renovated and expanded with a new wing, making it more than twice as large. It now has a broader exhibition and impressive new interactive spaces. After the renovation, the museum was renamed the Van Gogh Village Museum and reopened its doors in May 2023.

Nuenen is known as the Van Gogh Village, and the locals take great pride in that. This is where Van Gogh lived and worked, producing much of his early artwork. The Van Gogh Village Museum tells the story of his life and the time he spent here.

The museum is interactive and also interesting for children. Audio guides are available in multiple languages. It’s a great starting point for the Van Gogh Route, a walking tour that leads to the main sites linked to Van Gogh in Nuenen (more info below).

One of the things we loved most about our visit to the Van Gogh Village Museum was “Vincent’s Lightlab” (Vincents Lichtlab in Dutch). This activity was created in partnership with ASML, one of the main employers in the Eindhoven region. Vincent van Gogh was fascinated by light and color, and at Vincent’s Lightlab you can experiment with both, just like he did.

In addition to its permanent exhibition, the museum also features temporary exhibitions that change several times a year.

Van Gogh Parents Home “The Parsonage”

Van Gogh spent about two years in Nuenen. He moved from Drenthe to Nuenen in December 1883 to live in his parents’ house. The family lived in the rectory of Nuenen’s Dutch Reformed Church, where his father was the minister. Vincent painted a view of the house and several scenes of the parsonage garden.

He set up a small studio in the mangle room. Although his relationship with his family was strained, Van Gogh liked Nuenen, its surroundings and its people. He produced many works inspired by the countryside and the people of Brabant. Some were created in his studio, others in the countryside and in local weaving mills.

Address: Berg 26, Nuenen. The house can be viewed from the outside. It’s located across the street from the Van Gogh Village Museum.

More Van Gogh sights in Nuenen:

• Margot Begemann’s House (Nune Ville)
• The Old Church Tower of Nuenen
• Nuenen Cemetery
• The De Groot – Van Rooij Family Farm (where Van Gogh made his first painted sketch of The Potato Eaters)

What makes Van Gogh so interesting?

Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous Dutch artists, yet his story and life remain deeply moving and fascinating. He died at just 37, but his life was full of moments that still touch us today. Van Gogh lived in many places across the Netherlands, not just Nuenen, and later moved to Belgium (Antwerp) with great ambitions before settling in France. When he lived in Nuenen from 1883 to 1885, he could hardly have imagined that he would die only five years later, about 1,000 kilometers away. Nor could he have imagined becoming one of the world’s most celebrated painters, with museums dedicated to his art and his life.

From conflicts with his parents, friends and fellow artists to failed love stories, the story of his severed ear and his tragic death, Van Gogh’s life was short but incredibly intense.

A visit to Nuenen and the Van Gogh Village Museum offers a great opportunity to learn more about his life. If you’d like to admire his best-known artworks, head to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam or the Kröller-Müller Museum in the Veluwe.

Municipal Monuments

Many Dutch towns and villages that have preserved their historic charm have a number of monuments listed as part of their municipal heritage. Nuenen currently has 69 of these (including those in Gerwen and Nederwetten, which are part of Nuenen). Of these, 52 are located in Nuenen itself, most of them in or near the village center. They can be identified by a small white sign near the front door.

These century-old buildings are an important part of the village’s heritage and hold local cultural and historical value protected by the municipality. This protection means there are rules for maintenance and renovation, and a special permit is required for major changes.

Most of these buildings in Nuenen are shops and private homes, owned by local residents. They can’t be visited inside, but many are beautiful to see from the outside and contribute to Nuenen’s overall charm and atmosphere.

Nuenen Churches

Nuenen has two main churches. The main church, located in the village center near the park, is called Heilige Clemenskerk. It’s a Catholic church built in 1871. As the main church of Nuenen, the brick building is a beautiful landmark in the village center and forms a lovely backdrop to the scenic park.

A little outside today’s village center, about 100 meters from the Van Gogh Village Museum, stands another small church, the Van Goghkerkje. Built in 1824, it is older than the larger Catholic church. This small church was named after Van Gogh because it was the church where his father served as pastor. It’s a charming building with a chapel made famous by one of Van Gogh’s paintings.

There’s also a Protestant church in Nuenen housed in a more modern building, which is less remarkable for visitors.

Het Park

Het Park is a small park located in the heart of Nuenen. It’s a cozy green space with ponds and wooden bridges, offering a scenic spot for photos with the church and village in the background. The park is a key meeting point in the village, surrounded by shops, cafés and restaurants. It’s a wonderful place for a stroll and to enjoy village life. A market is held here every Thursday.

Surprisingly, the park is not named after Van Gogh; it’s simply called Het Park, which translates to “The Park.” However, since Nuenen is the Van Gogh Village, even this small park features sights dedicated to the painter. At the northern end, there’s a statue of Van Gogh, and on the opposite side, near Heilige Clemenskerk, there’s a statue inspired by his famous painting The Potato Eaters.

Rivers “Dommel” and “Kleine Dommel”

The Dommel River is the main river in the area. The Kleine Dommel (literally “small Dommel”) branches from the Dommel, flowing along the city border between Eindhoven and Nuenen towards the village of Geldrop. Rivers have been important to the region for centuries, and watermills along the Kleine Dommel in Nuenen have been in use for many generations.

If you visit Nuenen (especially during summer), two of the best places by the river are the Dommel Valley and the watermills. Neighboring Eindhoven also has some beautiful spots along the Dommel, such as the vast Genneperpark area. You can easily combine a visit to Nuenen with Eindhoven, either as a one-day bike tour or a weekend getaway.

Dommel Valley

Dommel Valley is a beautiful nature area between Nuenen, Eindhoven and Son. It’s a popular recreational area with biking and hiking trails, especially among locals who want to enjoy lush nature just a short distance from busy Eindhoven. The flat, green landscape is crossed by the Dommel River and dotted with grasslands, making it ideal for outdoor activities.

Watermill at Opwetten

Located on the Kleine Dommel between Nuenen and Eindhoven, the Opwetten Watermill (Opwettense watermolen in Dutch) was originally a grain and oil mill with two wheels. It is one of the oldest mills in the Dommel Valley. A mill has stood on this site for many centuries, and the current building was completely rebuilt in 1765 after a fire. With a diameter of 9.3 meters, the mill has the largest water wheel in the Netherlands. It makes a beautiful landmark when cycling between Nuenen and Eindhoven.

Another watermill worth seeing is the Collse watermolen. It is technically part of Eindhoven, just a short distance from the city border with Nuenen, and can easily be included in a cycling tour around Nuenen.

Nature Reserve “Nuenens Broek”

Nuenens Broek is a peaceful nature reserve located just a short walk from the village center of Nuenen. The area is surrounded by greenery, small streams, and open meadows, making it perfect for walking or cycling. Locals and visitors alike enjoy exploring the trails and soaking in the calm, rural atmosphere. It’s a great spot for a relaxing escape into nature without leaving the village.

Van Gogh Route

The Van Gogh Route is a walking trail in Nuenen that lets you discover where Vincent van Gogh lived and worked in the village. The route is 10 km long and takes about 2 hours on foot. It includes various sights related to Van Gogh, such as his parents’ home (where his atelier was located), the cemetery and the residence of the Van Rooij family, where Van Gogh sketched his famous work The Potato Eaters.

The route leads through the heart of the village and is a great way to explore Nuenen. It’s designed for walking, but you can also explore it by bike.

The Van Gogh Route includes the main sights linked to Vincent van Gogh. If you want to learn more about him, consider adding a stop at the museum, which is just across the street from Van Gogh’s parents’ house.

Illuminated Cycle Path

The Van Gogh Roosegaarde Cycle Path is a unique trail in Eindhoven, just beyond Nuenen. You’ll be amazed by a beautiful display of light and colour, inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s world-famous masterpiece The Starry Night. The glow-in-the-dark cycle path is a magical experience, illuminated by thousands of twinkling stones that create a show of light and poetry. It was developed in collaboration with the artist Daan Roosegaarde. The path runs on a rural section between Nuenen and Eindhoven and is freely accessible.

The path is best explored by bike, of course. However, if you’re just visiting Nuenen and don’t have a bike, you can also get there by car or bus to catch a glimpse of the beautifully illuminated trail.

• By car: Parking is available at the car pool location at the intersection of Wolvendijk and the A270 motorway.
• Public transport: Take bus route 6 from Eindhoven Station or Nuenen Station, get off at the Koudenhoven stop, then walk about 600 metres.

Strandbad

Located just outside Nuenen, there’s a beautiful lake with a small beach and grassy areas, popular for swimming and sunbathing. It’s a great spot for families. You can get here by bike from Nuenen or Eindhoven, or by car, with parking just outside. It’s a perfect place to relax in summer, and if you cycle between Eindhoven and Nuenen, it’s a lovely stop along the way.

Across the street, opposite the beach, is another lake called “Pluimke”. This pond isn’t suitable for swimming, but it’s a popular spot for fishing.

Eindhoven Zoo

Named after the nearby city of Eindhoven, the Eindhoven Zoo is actually located in Nuenen! It’s a small, family-friendly zoo with a variety of animals, from rhinos and penguins to tigers and chimpanzees. The zoo is especially focused on kids, with playgrounds and interactive areas. It’s a popular attraction for families in the Eindhoven region.

Parking in Nuenen

There is plenty of parking available in Nuenen. In the heart of the city center, there’s a “blue zone” where parking is limited to 2 hours from Monday to Saturday between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. If you plan to stay longer, you’ll find plenty of free parking just outside the village center, about a 5-minute walk away.

One example is the area between Laan van Nuenhem and Tomakker. Just across from the bus station (near the Van Gogh cemetery), there is plenty of free parking available.

In the Area

If you have extra time, below are some things to see and do in the area.

Share Your Feedback & Questions

Have you ever been to Nuenen or are you planning to visit soon? Share your experience and questions in the comments section down the page. We’d love to hear from you!