If ever you mention Roussillon to someone who knows France, they will likely say that it is one of the most beautiful villages in France. They would be correctomundo. Its striking beauty may come very unexpectedly if you’ve been exploring the surrounding area of Luberon, where normally you’re surrounded by white stone, like what you’d find in Gordes. Rousillon is very different.

Because Roussillon is in the very center of one of the biggest ochre deposits in the world, the first thing you’ll notice while approaching it would be the wonderful view of the ochre cliffs ranging in color from pale yellow to orange, wild red and brown. Coupled with the earthy tones from the mountains, the light, the lush green pine trees all around and the bright blue Provençal sky can often create an amazing combination of new colors of pink, purple and infinite shades of red.

For this very inspiring reason, Roussillon has attracted many artists and writers. Also, since there are several quarries and a pigment factory (for paint), painters come to stock up on their warm and beautiful natural earth pigments. (This is where Chloe, from Apres la Sieste got her pigments for her wall paint.)

Roussillon cannot help but put you in a good mood while wandering the winding, vibrant streets. Every door, window shudder, window shade, and wall is tinted with the most warm shades of color the earth has ever created.

Be sure to visit the Sentier des ocres, which is a natural park just beside the village of Roussillon. Take a walking tour of the park through the wide, dusty ochre deposit between magnificent wind-sculpted cliffs. The walk should take less than an hour. (Remember: this is not a good day to wear white shoes or white clothes.) Find the entrance to the park on the small hill facing the village, next to a cemetery.

Sentiers des ochres
Hours: 9am-7:30pm (July & August); 10am-5:30pm (Mar-Nov) – 2 euros admission
Note: From November to March, entrance is free. Closed on rainy days.

Tourist Office
Place de la Poste
Tel: 04 90 05 60 25
Hours: 9:30am to Noon, 1:30pm – 6:30pm Monday to Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 6:30pm
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Lulu Lundi* features Lulu, our Boston Terrier, somewhere in France every Monday.

Tags: travel, france, french, villages, roussillon, luberon, provence, Sentiers+des+ochres, pigments, ochre+deposit, lulu, dogs, boston+terriers