Map of Rustrel
Tourist map and places to visit in Rustrel
Rustrel stretches out at the foot of the Monts de Vaucluse, 10 km northeast of Apt. The “Colorado Provençal” and its ochre cliffs are located to the east, along the RD22 toward Banon. Our interactive map of Rustrel shows you both locations, along with parking areas, trailheads, and the village’s main landmarks. You can download it as a PDF to take with you, since cell service isn’t always reliable there.
How long does it take to visit Rustrel?
Allow half a day to see the highlights. The village itself can be explored on foot in about an hour, with no difficulty. The “Colorado Provençal” requires more time, depending on the trail you choose.
Two marked trails start from the Mille Couleurs parking lot. The Sahara trail, marked in blue, is 2.1 km long and takes about 40 minutes to complete. The Belvédères trail, marked in orange, is 3.9 km long and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
This second trail follows much of the first before heading up into the forest. It offers sweeping views of the Sahara, the fairy chimneys, and the white desert. The elevation gain is modest, around 70 meters.
If you want to explore the village and the ochre cliffs without rushing, plan to spend the whole day there. Many visitors bring a picnic or take time for photo breaks, and time flies when you’re there. In summer, the heat significantly slows your pace on the trails, which offer little shade.
Where can I download a map of Rustrel in PDF format?
You can download it directly from this page. You’ll find the “Download Map” button just below our interactive map, further up. The PDF file opens on both mobile devices and computers.
This map is primarily useful for locating key landmarks: the village, the town hall, the church, the parking lots, and the entrance to the Colorado. It remains readable offline, which is especially important in this part of the Luberon. Cell service becomes unreliable as soon as you leave the departmental road.
A helpful tip before you set off. The map of the Colorado Provençal trails is provided at the site entrance. It’s included with your parking ticket, along with an activation code for the mobile discovery app.
The two documents therefore complement each other. Ours takes you to Rustrel and helps you navigate between points of interest. The site’s map guides you once you’re on the trails, where the trail markers indicate a one-way route.
Where is the tourist office?
Rustrel does not have a tourist office within its boundaries. The town is served by the Pays d’Apt Luberon Tourist Office, which covers 25 towns with seven information offices.
The main office is located in Apt, at 788 Avenue Victor Hugo, about ten kilometers away. It is housed in the former train station, at the western entrance to the city. The phone number is 04 90 74 03 18.
Regular hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and then from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. In July and August, the office is also open on Sundays and public holidays in the morning. It is closed on Wednesdays from November through March, so keep that in mind if you’re visiting during the off-season.
There you’ll find IGN maps, hiking guides, and information on the Ochre Massif. Another office, in Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, is also located nearby. On-site at the Colorado, the ticket office at the parking lot can also answer practical questions about the trails.
Where to park in Rustrel?
Parking becomes difficult once the weather turns nice, especially in July and August. The village is small, with few available spots around the center. All of Rustrel’s parking lots are marked on our map on this page.
For the Colorado Provençal, there’s only one option: the Mille Couleurs parking lot, along the RD22. There’s a fee, and the price includes parking, access to the trails for all vehicle occupants, and a brochure.
Prices vary depending on the vehicle and the season, ranging from a few euros for a pedestrian or bicycle to about a dozen euros for a RV. There are designated spaces for motorcycles and RVs.
One rule you must absolutely remember: Parking on the shoulders of nearby roads is prohibited, dangerous, and frequently results in a ticket. Vehicles obstructing traffic may be towed.
From May through August, online reservations are required for morning tours. Walk-in admission is available again starting at 1:00 p.m. In July and August, time slots open around 6:00 p.m. the previous evening, once the fire risk level is known.
What are the must-see attractions?
The “Colorado Provençal” is obviously at the top of the list, but the village itself is well worth a detour. A “water trail,” established in 2006, connects the main landmarks on foot. Here are the points to look for on your map:
The “Colorado Provençal,” former ochre quarries operated until the 1950s, featuring the “Sahara,” the “fairy chimneys,” and the “white desert”
The 17th-century Château de Rustrel, which has been restored and now houses the town hall
The 12th-century Romanesque church, in the heart of the village
The 18th-century oil mill, open to the public in the summer (hours available at the town hall)
The Renaissance-style Castelet, viewable from the outside as it is private property
The Baume de Midi trail, in the Pointu massif, featuring a landscape information board and a viewpoint overlooking the “Colorado”
The colors of the ochres come from the iron oxides contained in the rock. They range from pale yellow to deep red depending on the exposure and the time of day. Morning light and late afternoon light remain the most flattering.
Please note that access to the fairy chimneys and the “White Desert” is now prohibited by law. You can view them from the observation decks, which is more than enough for taking photos.
On Wednesday evenings, from May through October, a Provençal market brings the village to life from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It’s a great opportunity to meet local producers, particularly those specializing in truffles, a local specialty.
How to get to Rustrel?
Driving remains the easiest way to reach Rustrel. From Apt, take the D22 toward Banon for about 10 kilometers. The trip takes about 15 minutes.
Allow about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Avignon and roughly one hour from Aix-en-Provence. The nearest TGV station is in Avignon, which means you’ll need to rent a car to continue your journey. Marseille-Provence Airport is about a 1-hour-and-30-minute drive away.
One important warning: As you approach Colorado, navigation apps often suggest incorrect routes. Instead, follow the road signs, which correctly mark the final kilometers.
Taking the bus is an option but requires some planning. The Zou! 916/926 line, which runs between Sault, Apt, and Banon, serves Rustrel with stops at “Centre” and “Camping Colorado.” Service is limited on this local route, so be sure to check the schedule before you go.
Once you arrive, everything is within walking distance. You can walk through the village in a few minutes, and the Colorado trails start right from the parking lot.
See also to help you plan your stay in Rustrel:
