Roussillon

This week we took a day trip to the stunning town of Roussillon in Provence. The vibrant colors of Roussillon are the first thing to hit you as you drive up the small hill that the village sits on. The area is known for the very bright soil, known as ochre, that provides pigments for red, yellow, and orange paints. As you walk through Roussillon you notice these colors everywhere, as most of the houses are built using the local soil.

Le Sentier des Ocres is a 50 minute walking trail that can be taken to see the pigmented soil up close. The cliffs of red and orange were carved out by water, wind, and the hands of those who cultivated the soil. The ochre deposits are some of the largest in the world, and have been used since prehistoric times. The charming town is home to quaint shops and restaurants, and represents a deep history with ochre that can be seen with every step through the village.