The ochres of Rustrel - The Provençal Colorado

The Colorado Provençal, a former ochre quarry, is an exceptional natural site located in Rustrel, a Provençal village between the Luberon and the Monts de Vaucluse, just 10 km from the town of Apt. Often compared to the Colorado landscape in the United States, this unique site offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Luberon Regional Nature Park.

History of Colorado Provençal

The Colorado Provençal is renowned for its colourful rock formations, the result of ochre quarrying. These multicoloured landscapes, ranging from bright yellow to deep red, have been sculpted by nature and by generations of ochre workers, who have worked tirelessly to extract the precious ochre pigments. A former industrial site, ochre mining began in the late 17th century and continued until 1992, leaving behind landscapes of fantastic shapes and vibrant colours. This site bears witness to the region's rich industrial activity, offering visitors an experience that is both educational and visually striking.

The result of a natural process

The different shades of red, yellow and white in the rocks of Rustrel are the result of these complex chemical transformations, creating a colourful and unique landscape.

The colours of the rocks of the Colorado Provençal come from the alteration of glauconite, an iron-rich clay. Around 100 million years ago, the Rustrel region was covered by a shallow sea where sands were deposited. The shallow conditions, together with the chemistry and temperature of the water, favoured the formation of glauconite, a distinctive green clay. Millions of years later, the region emerged. The hot, humid tropical climate led to the alteration of the glauconite-rich green sands. Rainwater, seeping through the sand, triggered a series of chemical reactions involving the iron contained in glauconite. First, the glauconite is transformed into goethite and kaolinite, giving the sand a red colour. If water continues to seep in, the goethite becomes hematite, then limonite, turning the sand yellow. Finally, the leaching of iron oxides can leave only kaolinite and quartz, which are responsible for the white colour of the sand on the surface.

Landscapes shaped by man

Human intervention, by exploiting these natural riches, has further accentuated these phenomena, creating the exceptional panorama we admire today.
The imposing, striking landscapes of the Colorado Provençal, sculpted by six generations of ochre and iron miners. The colours range from luminous yellow to deep red. These varied hues are the result of the interaction between natural processes and human activity. Human exploitation has revealed multicoloured cliffs, fairy chimneys and narrow valleys, while natural chemical transformations have created the vibrant colours. Numerous industrial remains such as pipes, rails, basins and pumps are a reminder of the important activity of past centuries.

Trails and discovery

Immerse yourself in a breathtaking natural setting by choosing one of the two footpaths on offer, suitable for all levels of walker.
As you walk along these paths, you'll discover the remains of the ochre-makers' work, settling basins, pipes and pumps. The paths cross narrow valleys, skirt cliffs, the Sahara and fairy chimneys, offering you a varied and spectacular panorama.

The Sahara Circuit - Blue signposting

The Sahara trail is the emblematic visit to the 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 trail lets you capture unique moments.
On the site, you'll also discover monuments such as the blast furnaces (private site), the Notre-Dame des Anges chapel, and the colourful little river called the Doa. A 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 around 40 minutes round trip from the car park. It's an easy walk, with an ascent of just 10 metres.

Le Circuit des Belvédères - Orange signposting

For those looking for a spectacular overview of the Colorado Provençal, the Belvedere trail is the ideal choice. This trail overlooks the Sahara, the Fairy Chimneys and the White Desert, offering breathtaking panoramas. There are a few tricky sections that require special attention, including roots, stones, steps and streams.

The trail is 3.9 km long and takes around 1 hour 45 minutes round trip from the car park. It is of moderate difficulty, with a difference in altitude of 70 metres.

The narrow, sandy paths make access impossible for pushchairs and people with reduced mobility. However, these routes are still accessible to young children.

Respect and preservation

This fragile environment must be respected so that future generations can enjoy it. The Colorado Provençal, restored in 2008, is an exceptional showcase for traditional ochre mining, the only one of its kind in Europe. A guided tour with a former ochre-maker will take you through the entire process, from extraction to bagging, as well as the geology and history of this extraordinary site.

Come and stroll through the wide open spaces of the Colorado de Rustrel, soak up its magic and let yourself be seduced by its brilliant colours and fascinating history. The lesser-known "sentier des ocres" (ochre trail) will help you discover the natural and unusual treasures along the quarries, where the beauty of Provence is revealed in all its splendour.

When and how can I visit the ochres at Rustrel?

The site is open every day from 8.30am to 6.30pm, including Sundays and public holidays, from February to December - except 25 December. To make the most of the site, we advise you to avoid weekends in high season.

From May to August, bookings are compulsory and can only be made on the Colorado Provençal website.
From 1 May, remember to book! Bookings can only be made online for visits up to 1pm, with payment made directly online in July and August. In the afternoon, access is unreserved. Payment must be made directly at the ticket office.
From February to April and from September to October, visits are unreserved.

To protect the wildlife, dogs are allowed but must be kept on a lead. We recommend that you wear walking shoes to make the most of the paths that cross the site.