Roussillon - Vaucluse, Provence, France travel

Visitez Roussillon : gites | hotels | location des voitures | explore Provence

Roussillon ('most beautiful villages of Provence') is about 15 kilometres north-west of Apt.

Tourist Information

In Roussillon, the most memorable feature is not Roussillon itself, but the ochre mines below the village. The range of colours in the white-orange-red rocks is extraordinary, and the curiously shaped rock formations add further to the spectacle. You will not be surprised if the Lone Ranger appears around the corner...(if you only have time to visit one set of ochre mines you might prefer nearby Rustrel instead).

ochre landscape at roussillon, luberon, provence

Don't let the splendour of the mines stop you from passing some time in the village itself. Roussillon is yet another uber-attractive Provencal village. The colour in the mines is mirrored in the colours of the house in Roussillon itself, above the mines .

If at all possible you should try and see Roussillon when the first sunshine of the day strikes the village, to see the glowing colours of the house at their most stunning. Of course, this will be quite early during the summer so you might prefer to visit in April or May.

Roussillon has many beautiful houses, constructed mostly about 300 years ago, and also has its fair share of tourism related gift shops and galleries etc, like all the 'most beautiful villages of France' in this popular Luberon region.

It is a lovely little village to explore - shady squares, fascinating architectural details, faded shutters, cats sleeping on windowsills - everything you hope for from a Provencal village, and of course has the ever present magnificent views over the countryside from the top of the village.