The Ochre Lands: a labyrinth of multi-coloured sands

Here the earth is streaked with fiery red and yellow-green. It can also be orange which turns to purple in the setting sun ... A thousand shades of colour come and go amidst the ochre sands that are part of the Luberon landscape.
It all goes back to the sea which once covered this area. When the sea dried up several million years ago, pouring rain slowly transformed the accumulated layers of limestone slowly transformed into ochre-bearing sands.

Ochre was first used as a natural paint in the painted caves that prehistoric man embellished. It was later rediscovered at the time of the French Revolution, and was sold throughout the world for over a century. Ochre is a natural pigment with indelible colour. Ochre is enjoying a revival now, for it is used in many activities, such as paint, decoration, ceramics and construction.

Ochre observation sites: ochre quarries

Uses for ochre were discovered in the 18th century, when ochre was appreciated for the beauty of its colours. The ochre mines operated until the 20th century. The old ochre quarries in the Luberon have left traces of colour as can be seen in the village of Roussillon. There is still an operating ochre quarry in Gargas.

Main ochre sites:
Roussillon, capital of ochre colour until 1945, now ranked as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France".
Visit the Ochre Quarry Trail (lien vers page A voir a faire)

Rustrel: built at the base of the Albion highlands, this discreet and charming small village, just 10 km northwest of Apt, was an important area for the ochre industry in the Apt area.
Visit: The Provencal Colorado (a walk through former quarries).

Gargas: Near Roussillon, the small village of Gargas has fascinating geology and history. The Guigou firm continues to mine yellow ochre in the huge quarries that the company owns.

Ochre is primarily used in building and goes into making renderings and washes for the walls of the Provencal homes. Ochre gives a certain light and softness to the colours on the houses – a lovely warm apricot colour most often. Ochre can also be used on the hulls of boats, and is used also as food colouring and as a dye for fabric ...

DISCOVER

The Applied Pigment and Ochre Conservatory in Roussillon

The former Mathieu Ochre factory, started in 1920, has been transformed into the OKHRA Applied Pigment and Ochre Conservatory. The Conservatory offers guided visits to understand the ochre mining and processing business. The entire production chain has been rebuilt. Exhibitions, classes, workshops for children and adults.

> For more information

Practical details: to go further

Contacts : > Luberon Tourist Offices, for more information on the ochre.

Provence Guide : Short breaks and holidays in Provence, South of France
Accomodation in Provence – Visits of Vaucluse in Provence – Short breaks in Provence – Activities in Provence