In the heart of the Luberon, the Colorado Provençal de Rustrel offers a spectacular landscape shaped by the exploitation of ochre and by erosion. Colourful cliffs, astonishing reliefs, narrow valleys and fairy chimneys make up here a unique setting in Provence, often compared to the landscapes of American Colorado.
This exceptional natural site seduces both lovers of walks and those who are passionate about geology, industrial heritage or photography. With the family or through a more immersive hike, discovering Colorado Provençal promises an experience that is as visual as it is instructive.
In Rustrel, ochres tell as much the story of men as that of the slow transformations of rock, in an intensely mineral and profoundly exotic landscape.
Colorado Provençal is the visible result of several centuries of ochre exploitation, started at the end of the 17th century and continued until 1992, on a site that is now rehabilitated and protected.
The landscapes that we admire today bear the traces of the work of several generations of workers, ochres and miners, who extracted the precious pigments by gradually revealing the multicolored cliffs and the spectacular reliefs of the site.
This industrial activity has left behind numerous remains, such as basins, pipes, pipes, pumps, rails or even old technical installations, which enrich the visit and recall the economic importance of ochre in this part of the Luberon.
Colorado Provençal is thus both a remarkable natural site and a strong testimony to the industrial past of Provence.
The shades of red, yellow and white that characterize the site come from the chemical alteration of iron-rich clays. This slow work of transformation has given rise to an astonishing landscape, shaped by water, oxidation and time.
Over millions of years, the sands deposited in an ancient marine environment have evolved under the effects of climate and water infiltration, gradually revealing a spectacular mineral palette. It is this geological history, combined with human exploitation, that explains the visual intensity of the place.
Provençal Colorado thus offers a rare reading of the landscape, where natural phenomena and human intervention combine to create an almost unreal setting.
It is all this richness that we perceive when walking along the trails, as close as possible to the cliffs, colored sands and shapes sculpted by the centuries.
The site offers two hiking trails, allowing you to discover Colorado Provençal according to your time of visit and your desire to walk. The trail map is given at the entrance with access to the site.
2.1 km, 40 min - Ideal for a family stroll in the heart of the ochres
The Sahara circuit is the emblematic visit of Colorado Provençal. This simple trail, accessible to all, offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of a spectacular setting. Ideal for amateur photographers and nature lovers, this course will allow you to capture unique moments.
On the site, you will also discover monuments such as the blast furnaces (private site), the Notre-Dame des Anges chapel, and the small colorful river called the Doa. The trail map is available at the Mille Couleurs car park to guide you through this magical and unusual landscape.
With a distance of 2.1 km, this trail takes about 40 minutes to and from the car park. It is easy with an altitude difference of only 10 meters.
3.9 km, 1h45 - Breathtaking view of the site and the valley
For those who want to have a spectacular overview of Provençal Colorado, the Belvederes circuit is the ideal choice. This trail overlooks the Sahara, the Fairy Chimneys and the White Desert, offering breathtaking panoramas. Some delicate passages require special attention, especially because of roots, stones, steps and streams.
This trail extends over 3.9 km and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes from the car park. It is of medium difficulty with an altitude difference of 70 meters.
The sandy and narrow paths make access impossible for strollers and people with reduced mobility. However, these circuits are still accessible to young children.
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Practical information on Colorado Provençal - The ochres of Rustrel
Opening times and periods
From 08/02 to 28/02, daily between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm.
From 01/03 to 31/03, daily between 10.30 am and 4.30 pm.
From 01/04 to 30/04, daily between 9 am and 5 pm.
From 01/05 to 31/05, daily between 9 am and 6 pm.
From 01/06 to 30/06, daily between 8.30 am and 6.30 pm.
From 01/07 to 31/08, daily between 8 am and 7 pm.
From 01/09 to 30/09, daily between 9 am and 6 pm.
From 01/10 to 31/10, daily between 9.30 am and 5 pm.
From 01/12 to 31/12, daily between 10 am and 4 pm.
Closed exceptionally on bank holidays.
Subject to favorable weather.
Price(s)
Prices vary depending on the type of vehicle and the season. They include parking, access to marked trails, a visitor map and the mobile discovery app.
High season (May to September) :
- Car : €8 (€6 reduced rate)
- Camper van : €12 (€10 reduced rate)
- Minibus : €15 (€13 reduced rate)
- Motorbike : €6 (€4 reduced rate)
- Bicycle : €3 (€2 reduced rate)
- Pedestrian, bus : €2 per person
Low season (February to April and October to November) :
- Car : €6 (€5 reduced rate)
- Camper van : €10 (€8 reduced rate)
- Minibus : €13 (€12 reduced rate)
- Motorbike : €4 (€2 reduced rate)
- Bicycle, pedestrian, bus : €2 per person
The reduced rate applies only if the Belvedere trail is closed.
During high season, for morning visits from May to August, online booking is recommended. The normal rate applies to all bookings.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the opening hours of the Colorado Provençal in Rustrel?
Opening periods and times 2025: February & March: 9.30am - 4.30pm (leaves the site at 5.30pm), April: 9.00am - 5.30pm (leaves at 6.30pm), May: 9.00am - 6.00pm (leaves at 7.00pm), June: 8.30am - 6.30pm (leaves at 7.30pm), July & August: 8.00am - 7.00pm (check-out at 8.00pm), September: 9.00am - 6.00pm (check-out at 7.00pm), October: 9.30am - 5.30pm (check-out at 6.30pm), November (up to and including the 11th): 9.30am - 4.30pm (check-out at 5.30pm). Annual closure from 12 November 2025 to 6 February 2026. Reopening on the morning of 7 February 2026.
How much does it cost to visit the Colorado Provençal in Rustrel?
The entrance fee to the Colorado Provençal in Rustrel depends on the type of vehicle used to access the site (car, camper van, motorbike, etc.). It includes parking, a map, access to marked trails and the mobile discovery app. From May to September: Car: €8 (reduced rate*: €6) – Camper van: €12 (reduced: €10) – Minibus: €15 (reduced: €13) – Motorbike: €6 (reduced: €4) – Bicycle: €3 (reduced: €2) – Pedestrian / Bus: €2 per person (same for reduced rate). During the high season, for morning visits between May and August, it is recommended to book online (only the normal rate applies when booking). From February to April and from October to November: Car: €6 (reduced rate*: €5) – Camper van: €10 (reduced: €8) – Minibus: €13 (reduced: €12) – Motorbike: €4 (reduced: €2) – Bicycle / Pedestrian / Bus: €2 per person (same for reduced rate). *The reduced rate applies only if the Belvedere trail is closed. Good to know: The fee is per vehicle, regardless of the number of passengers (except for buses).
Are pets allowed on the site?
Yes, pets are allowed on the site provided they are kept on a lead at all times to protect local wildlife and ensure visitor safety.
What types of hiking trails are available?
The Colorado Provençal offers hiking trails ranging from 2 km to 4 km, with gradients of between 10 and 70 metres. The trails pass through old ochre quarries and narrow valleys, and provide access to three lookouts: the Sahara, the Fairy Chimneys and the White Desert. A map of the trails is available from the ticket office, and the mobile discovery app provides additional information about the site.
Is the site accessible to people with reduced mobility?
Unfortunately, the Colorado Provençal is not wheelchair accessible. The paths can be uneven and have steep slopes, making access impossible for people with reduced mobility, as well as pushchairs.
Is the site accessible to people with reduced mobility?
Unfortunately, the Colorado Provençal is not wheelchair accessible. The paths can be uneven and have steep slopes, making access impossible for people with reduced mobility, as well as pushchairs.
