You find yourself wandering through a landscape that feels like the Wild West, complete with shades of ochre filling your view. However, this isn’t Colorado; it’s Roussillon, France. This village is one of Provence’s best-kept secrets and offers an amazing stroll through its terracotta-colored scenery.
As you approach this gem of the Luberon valley, its name “Rouge-illon” gives away its vibrant personality. Perched atop a small mountain, Roussillon patiently overlooks a lush, green valley and nods to its charming neighbors – Gordes, Ménerbes, Lacoste, and Bonnieux. Sitting here with a cup of coffee, taking in the stunning views, you’ll quickly understand why it’s designated as one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France.
This captivating scenery is part of the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon, meaning any new economic activities must be sustainable. This ensures the environment, local community, and travelers like us can continue to enjoy this pristine landscape.
Roussillon is famous for its ochre pigments, found in the surrounding clay. From the late 18th century until 1930, large quarries mined this ochre, employing thousands of people. Today, mining is banned to protect these sites, but you can still visit a former ochre factory turned museum and workshop.
To truly appreciate Roussillon’s ochre hues, take a walk along Le Sentier des Ocres, or the Ochre Trail. This 1.5 km trail meanders through a Colorado-like landscape. The entrance fee is 3€, which goes towards the conservation of this unique area, ensuring future generations can also enjoy these red hills and imagine ancient times.
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