The House in the Swamps is a moving tribute to the painter Vincent Van Gogh. It was his home from August 1879 till October 1880. The site is now one of the important staging points in the tumultuous life of this great artist.

The scenography retracing the life of Vincent leads the visitor into the house where he became aware that his destiny was to be a painter.

Inside the house one is struck by how well the presence of Vincent is revived: copies of his extensive correspondence, a reminder of the way the site was saved from ruin in 1972-1975 by a group of enthusiasts, together with the Tourist Organization, and with the collaboration of the Van Gogh family. There is a multilingual information terminal, and the projection of a film in English, French, Dutch or German, retracing the life of Vincent, particularly in the Borinage mining area, where he shared the very hard living conditions of the coalminers.

The Town of Mons is particularly proud to present you the original masterwork of Van Gogh : “The Diggers”, inspired by Millet in 1880, acquired at Sotheby’s in London.

A reception pavilion in modern style has been integrated into the setting, where you will find a souvenir shop, with postcards, reproductions, books and souvenir articles supplied by the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, a bar with a selection of local beers, and all facilities for individual visitors or for groups.