Roussillon is a village in the French department of the Vaucluse. The village is considered one of the 'plus beaux villages' of France, because anyone who has visited Roussillon once will not soon forget the village. What you see is truly unique!
If you drive to the village of Roussillon you can see the ocher-colored houses on the top of the hill from a distance. Once you arrive in Roussillon you will see that almost everything in the entire village has a yellow, orange or red color. And that is of course not surprising if you know that in and around Roussillon there were many ocher mines. A number of these old ocher mines (ocher quarries) and ocher factories have been preserved and can also be visited.
The ocher mine of Roussillon
The great ocher mine of Roussillon was exploited since the end of the 18th century. Demand for dyes for textiles rose during that time and Roussilllon's ocher was so popular that it soon became an important export product for the region. The production increased to as much as 20,000 tons of ocher in the year 1890. Several ocher mines appeared in the vicinity of Roussillon and it goes without saying that thousands of people found their work in these ocher mines.
More and more oyster was won to be able to continue to meet the increased demand. The highlight of the oyster production was in 1929, when no less than 49,000 tons of ocher was won! At the beginning of the 20th century, more modern techniques made it possible to exploit mines in a different, more profitable way. For this reason and in order to prevent the entire area from being excavated (and thus disappearing), the mines in the area around Roussillon were closed in the mid-20th century.
Ôkhra, Conservatoire des Ocres et de la Couleur
If you like to make trips to villages during your holiday, it can sometimes conflict with the ideas of children. With a visit to Roussillon and surroundings you really have a trump card. Thanks to the ozone mine, the former ocher factory and the breathtaking, colorful ocher landscape, this area is a fun outing for everyone!
If you are interested in the industrial history of ocher and want to get to know the change of the landscape of Roussillon, we recommend a visit to Ôkhra. This 'conservatoire' is located in the former oyster factory Mathieu where between 1921 and 1963 about 1,000 tons of ocher was produced per year.
For decades the factory has been left standing by, until the furnace, the washing systems and the mills have been restored. Since 1994, the former factory has been opened to the public and during a guided tour you gain insight into the different stages of technology to win ocher. You will see that everything in the old factory is still ocher. From the walls to the ground, from the used bikes to the clothing of the employees of the time.
Le Sentier des Ocres
If you are not a museum type then a walk in the ocher landscape might be something for you. The so-called 'ocher road', Le Sentier des Ocres, offers you two different walking routes that are laid out in length by the ocher landscape. The walking routes, one of about 30 minutes and one of about 60 minutes, allow you to view the beautiful ocher landscape. Pay attention to your clothing and shoe choice. The environment is still very dusty and the ocher color is difficult to wash out!
Not only because of the temperature on summer days, but also because of the beautiful glow of the setting sun we advise you to make this walk at the end of the afternoon. The glow of the setting sun makes the walk even more colorful and therefore more special!
The ocher mines of Bruoux
It is also nice to visit the ocher mines of Bruoux. These ocher mines are located in the middle of a vast pine forest. The red colorful cliffs form a beautiful contrast with the pine trees under which the ocher mine is located.
If you go into the mine, you will make a wonderful trip underground. During a guided tour you walk about one and a half kilometers through the underground network of more than 40 kilometers. The galleries dug by the miners are sometimes 15 meters high. The average temperature is 10 degrees, a welcome cooling on a hot summer day. The mine is a beautiful monument of the ocher exploitation and also a unique and admirable place. A must-see if you make a daytrip to Roussillon and surroundings!
Cycling through the ocher-colored landscape
A bike ride in the beautiful ocher landscape is of course also possible. In and around Roussillon there are several places where you can rent good bikes.
There are several marked cycle routes in the area varying from 15 to 50 kilometers. They lead you through quiet roads through the most beautiful ocher-colored villages (Apt, Gargas, Rustrel, Roussillon and Villars) and landscapes of the Luberon. A sporty, colorful and unforgettable bike ride for the whole family!
