Roussillon

In Provence, between Luberon and the Vaucluse shines the village of Roussillon in ocher. The village is one of the most beautiful in France and is certainly unlike any other. Located in the heart of the largest sites of ocher in the world, Roussillon occupies a unique place in minerals that shows a surprising array of flamboyant colors in all light conditions. As you wander through the narrow streets you can admire the houses, often simple and naturally beautiful. Here mankind  had been naturally absorbed by the rich beauty of nature.

In Roussillon ochre is to be found everywhere: in the scenery, the walls of the houses - with ocher applied in a traditional way - but also in the heart of the inhabitants of Roussillon: the precious pigment supplied them an income until the mid 20th century.

This presence you feel especially when you take the Ocher path, beautifully constructed and signposted, that leads to the 'Rue des Géants’ (Road of the Giants) among the chimneys and a series of great attractions carved by water, wind and hand of men. In Roussillon you can discover the land of the industrial adventure by visiting the Conservatory of ocher and colors and the old factory Mathieu, next to the D 104 in the direction of Apt.

The ocher, used since prehistoric times and exploited since the Romans occupied the Provence, is only an industrial product thanks to the intuition of Jean-Etienne Astier, a real Roussillonais. It was Astier who, in the late 18th century, conceived the idea to wash sand and filter pure ocher pigment extracts. Despite strong competition from synthetic dyes natural ochers for some use still remain an odd commodity.

Roussillon is not a real historical site, despite its antiquity. It is not a place full of history, although more than a souvenir remains etched in its architecture. It is primarily a magical place where combinations of oxides rays in an infinite variety of colors on the surrounding landscape and on the facades of houses or a ‘trompe l'oeil’ (optical illusion) on a fence,  a wall. Roussillon is to be visited on a quiet day - even if it is almost impossible due to the hordes of tourists the town attracts every day- because with every glance, a striking detail encourages a true dream.

Roussillon is home to numerous attractions such as the Place du Pasquier - in the past the square of the seven markets and nowadays the pharmacy and access to the social and cultural center - and the ‘Place de l'Abbé-Avon ', also called 'the bottom of the oven’ because of its house excavated in a rock with at the bottom the bread oven from the bakery and was named after the priest who dedicated himself during the plague epidemic of 1720. On the left is located ‘La Port Heureuse’ (the happy port). The first street on the left leads to the two towers of the ramparts and gives a wonderful view over the village and the countryside.

Place de la Forge was the old courtyard of the castle built in 987, some remnants remained as well as a small crucifix. At the 'Table d'Orientation' you reach the peak of the village, where you can enjoy a wide panoramic view of the Luberon and the Vaucluse. Also worth visiting is L’Eglise St Michel that dates from the 11th century and was located within the fortifications, opposite the castle. Due to its location on a cliff you can see the 17th century facade, its 18th century heart, the late 18th century Potevin works  and the statue of St Michel. At the Place de la Mairie (City Hall) you’ll find the most beautiful houses also dating from the 18th century.