Roussillon

Discover the ochre village of Roussillon, a gem of the Luberon

Nestled against the Luberon, Roussillon is a village in the Vaucluse like no other in Provence.

Ranked among the most beautiful villages in France, this colorful village owes everything to ochre: this natural pigment that tints every facade, every wall, and every alleyway with a palette of colors ranging from pale yellow to the deepest red. The Ochre Trail, the eco-museum housed in a former factory, and the Conservatory of Ochres and Applied Pigments—the mining of ochre has shaped a unique heritage here, and a landscape you won’t find anywhere else in France.

This welcoming village has been attracting artists, hikers, and families on vacation for decades. The atmosphere here is unique: the facades shift in hue with the light, the Thursday morning market brings the square to life, and art galleries sit side by side with restaurants like La Table des Ocres or La Treille. S

The Luberon’s vast ochre deposit

Located in the heart of the world’s largest ochre deposit, Roussillon owes its fame to its magnificent cliffs and impressive ochre quarries. Reds, yellows, and browns contrast vividly against the backdrop of lush green pine forests.

Above, the pure blue of the Provençal sky casts a light of exceptional quality, as if to better highlight the scene. This magical site resembles a painter’s palette, with infinite color combinations ranging from yellow to the deepest violet, encompassing every shade of pink and red.

The Ochre Trail

You can discover Roussillon’s unique natural heritage along the Ochre Trail and learn about the process of treating these pigments for construction and decoration by visiting Okhra, the Ochre Ecomuseum, housed in a former ochre factory.

One of the most beautiful villages in Provence... and in France!

From the moment you set foot in the village of Roussillon, you’ll be captivated by its charm and atmosphere. You’ll delight in strolling through the picturesque maze of narrow streets and small squares in the old town. The facades of the houses beautifully showcase the results achieved with ochre.

The shades vary subtly from light yellow to fiery red, while the doors and windows are adorned with contrasting colors. Roussillon is best explored at a leisurely pace, as if savoring it... from the lower town to the summit of the Castrum and its impressive panorama, every turn and nook will fill you with wonder.

Art galleries and restaurants

Many artists have naturally been drawn to Roussillon: Jean Cocteau, Carzou, Buffet, Ambrogiani... and many others. You’ll come across several artisan workshops and art galleries, as well as some excellent restaurants where you can enjoy the culinary talents of chefs renowned throughout the region.

Our map of Roussillon

To help you find your way around Roussillon, we provide an interactive map of the village of Roussillon, which even works on mobile devices. We’ve marked the accommodations we recommend in the village of Roussillon so you can locate them before making a reservation.

Roussillon or Rustrel?

Rustrel and its famous “Colorado Provençal” is another village in the Luberon famous for its ochre deposits. If you’re torn between the two, know that the “Colorado Provençal” is a lovely family walk surrounded by nature among the ochre deposits, and Roussillon is a stunning ochre-colored village that’s definitely worth a visit. Our tip: take the “Colorado Provençal” trail from Rustrel early in the morning and have lunch at one of the many restaurants in Roussillon, then stroll through the village’s ochre-colored streets in the afternoon.

Our photos of Roussillon

At the bottom of this page, you’ll find a lovely slideshow of photos taken in Roussillon by our team. It will give you a sense of the beauty of this ochre-colored village and make you want to spend a wonderful weekend or vacation there.