Since the 18th century, the Vaucluse region has been renowned for its many ochre quarries. The exploitation of the rock from the Rustrel deposit has left behind a sumptuous landscape dotted with glowing fairy chimneys. Covering more than 30 hectares in the Luberon massif, the multicoloured paths in twenty shades of ochre are reminiscent of the American desert, and with good reason! Red, yellow, orange... But we're not in a desert state in the USA, we're in France! This breathtaking scenery has certainly lived up to its nickname of the 'Colorado of Provence'. A few kilometres away, near Roussillon, the sentier des Ocres has nothing to be jealous of. Now open to visitors, a single step on these two magical sites transports us to the other side of the world, right in the heart of the American Wild West.
The Luberon and ochre have a long history. The village of Roussillon, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, is home to the world' s largest ochre deposit!
The history of ochre in the region began in 1780 when Jean-Etienne Astier, a native of the area, became the first ochre manufacturer and set about exporting it all over the world, making Luberon ochre a benchmark.
The village of Roussillon on its ochre hill.
- © Boris Stroujko / ShutterstockMore and more ochre was mined, and on 26 January 1901 the Société des Ocres de France was founded, which 120 years later continues to make French ochre shine. Today, it is the only company that still mines ochre in Rustrel and Gargas, then markets it in the town of Apt.
👉 Don't hesitate to visit the Bruoux mines in Gargas to find out all about ochre extraction - there are some impressive galleries to discover!
In the south of Provence, just a stone's throw from Roussillon, lies the sentier des Ocres, also known asthe 'Giant's Causeway'. Once you're there, you'll feel as if you're no longer in France, but walking through the Grand Canyon of the American West. The landscapes are incredible, enhanced by the ochre and its distinctive colour. Two itineraries are available to the public: a short one lasting 20 minutes and a longer one that takes around an hour to complete.
The grand staircase of the sentier des Ocres.
- © Ekaterina Pokrovsky / ShutterstockThe path has been made safe for everyone, so the Ochre Trail is accessible to all the family, even the youngest. Note, however, that you will have to climb 350 steps! Throughout your walk, you'll find information panels explaining the history of the site, its flora and fauna, and Luberon ochre.
To continue your discovery of ochre in Provence, another site should fill you with wonder... Between Mont Vaucluse and the hill of Caseneuve, the village of Rustrel is surrounded by tourist attractions such as prehistoric and neolithic remains, a rustic castle built in 1625, fountains and wash-houses and a 16th-century church. But the star of the region is truly the Colorado Provençal!
The surreal scenery of Colorado Provençal.
- © Elena Dijour / ShutterstockHere, huge open-air quarries, remnants of ochre mining in the 18th century, have become a tourist attraction and a paradise for walkers. There are two signposted footpaths for a safe visit: the two-kilometre Sahara circuit and the Belvédères circuit, which overlooks the Colorado Provençal for an exceptional panorama.
Roussillon
With their colourful landscapes that transport us to the other side of the Atlantic, the sentier des Ocres and the Colorado Provençal are a must-see for your next stay in Provence! Allow half a day to visit them, including a visit to Roussillon.
The only way to get to Roussillon and the Ochre Trail is by car, allow 1 hour 15 minutes' drive from Aix-en-Provence and 1 hour 30 minutes from Marseille.
The Colorado Provençal at Rustrel is then a 25-minute drive away via the D179 and D227. Both sites have car parks.
The Ochre Trail from the air.
- © Ekaterina Pokrovsky / ShutterstockThe opening times of the two sites vary each month. You can consult the official Colorado Provençal website for the site's opening times and the Pays d'Apt Luberon tourist office website for the schedule for the Ochre trail.
Ochre trail:
Colorado Provençal - Price per vehicle, regardless of the number of passengers:
For full prices, visit the Pays d'Apt Luberon tourist office website or the official Colorado Provençal website. Booking is not yet possible online.
