Roussillon in Provence: What to See and Do

Roussillon lies in the northern part of the Luberon, between the Luberon mountain and the Vaucluse Plateau. The village is famous for its ochre quarries that were exploited from the end of the 18th century until the 1930s.

Watch this short video on the Luberon!

Plan your trip to Roussillon

Why you should visit Roussillon

Roussillon is a delightful Provençal village and the second most visited in the Luberon after Gordes. Its location at the top of a steep hill certainly gives it a fantastic panorama, and it is labelled as one of the most beautiful villages of France (plus beaux villages de France).

The village originated from a small castle built there in 987 and now contains several beauties such as the Saint Michel church and pretty, colourful facade buildings.

The village has no historical monuments worth visiting. However, Roussillon is a not-to-miss hilltop village in the Luberon for its colourful façades. Indeed, ochres of an infinite variety compose the frontages of the houses (sometimes in trompe l'oeil on a gate or a wall) and the surrounding landscape.

Place du Pasquier

The square was first used for grazing, then for the seven annual fairs. It now serves as a car park.

The square welcomes the traditional open-air market on Thursday morning.

Rue des Bourgades

The winding central streets (rue des Bourgades, rue des Lauriers) lead to the top of the village. During your stroll, you will discover art galleries, Provençal shops and townhouses from the 17th and 18th centuries.

At each street corner, the eye catches a typically Provençal detail which inspires one to dream.

Place de l'Abbé-Avon

This square means "le dessous du four" (under the oven) because the baker's oven was located in the rock dug out to house a house. Avon was an abbot who devoted himself during the plague epidemic of 1720. On the left is the Porte Heureuse.

Place de la Mairie

Adjacent to Place de l'Abbé-Avon is the town-hall square with beautiful 18th-century houses, including the Mairie.

The Belfry

This is the old gateway to the Castrum (the fortified wall). The belfry was remodelled in the 19th century as an annexe to the church.

The first alley, on the left, leads to the old covered way, which once joined two towers of the ramparts. The district has kept the name "quartier de la Bistourle" (bistourle = two towers). Admire the beautiful view over the village and the surrounding area.

Saint Michel Church

The original church dated back to the 11th century and was located inside the fortifications, facing the castle and the cliff. Its façade dates from the 17th century, and its choir from the 18th century.

Place de la Forge

The square is located on the supposed site of the castle's courtyard (edified in 987), of which some remains and a small calvary remain.

The orientation table

This is the highest point in the village, from where you can see a vast panorama from the Luberon to the Monts de Vaucluse.

The cemetery

Have a peek at the village cemetery to see the ochre tombstones.

To enjoy a beautiful view of Roussillon, come in the morning via the following two roads:

• the road to Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt (D227)
• the road to Goult (D104)

The village appears at the top of a steep hill where the red of the ochre is gradually revealed in the middle of the deep green of the pine forests. 

Watch my guided walk of Roussillon

A 24-minute video that starts at the entrance of Roussillon and climbs to the church and the belvedere at the top of the village.

Roussillon: A bit of History

The history of Roussillon in Provence is a rich tapestry woven from millennia of human endeavour, natural wonders, and cultural evolution.

The earliest known settlement in the area dates back to around 450 BC when the Greeks, recognised for introducing viticulture and olive cultivation to the Luberon, established a village. This ancient beginning set the stage for various cultural influences and historical events that shaped Roussillon's destiny.

The Gallo-Romans took over the region following the Greeks, preferring the valleys to the hills. However, with the decline of the Roman Empire, the inhabitants of Roussillon gravitated back to the more defensible hilltops, constructing a castrum—a fortified stronghold—to protect against invasions, such as the Saracen assault around the year 730.

The medieval period saw the establishment of the old castle on a motte-and-bailey, a type of fortification mentioned in records as "Rossillione" by 989. Centuries later, in 1541, the village faced a siege by 800 Waldensians seeking to liberate prisoners.

The Ochre of Roussillon

Roussillon's vibrant narrative took a colourful turn with the exploitation of its large ochre quarries, a significant industry from the end of the 18th century until 1930. The 18th century, in particular, witnessed a surge in the demand for fabric dye, bolstering ochre production.

However, the 20th century brought challenges; the discovery of more lucrative mining sites and the advent of chemical pigments led to the decline and eventual cessation of ochre extraction. The once-thriving industry faced stiff competition from synthetic dyes, leading to a gradual abandonment of natural ochre.

The development of tourism

Yet, Roussillon's ochre legacy found a new purpose—tourism. An ochre trail was developed within the old quarry, close to the village. This trail unveils remarkable landscapes carved by water, wind, and human intervention—fairy chimneys, vertical cliffs, and various colours that starkly contrast against the lush greenery reclaiming the site, especially the beautiful pine forests. The result is a fascinating journey, offering a total change of scenery.

From the 1980s onwards, tourism began to flourish. Although ochre is no longer extracted in Roussillon, the ochre trail, starting from the village, draws thousands of tourists each summer. The trail, thoughtfully developed and marked, meanders between the fairy chimneys—columns shaped by erosion—and leads to the 'chaussée des géants' and exclusively ochre cliffs, with colours ranging from violet to red, orange to yellow, in a dazzling display of warmth.

Samuel Beckett in Roussillon

Among the notable residents, Samuel Beckett, the renowned playwright, found refuge in Roussillon while fleeing the German police during World War II. This period influenced his seminal work, "Waiting for Godot."

In summary, Roussillon is not just a place but a living chronicle of nature's artistry, human resilience, and cultural richness, inviting all who visit to step into its story and be part of its continuing legacy.

The Ochre Quarries

The ochre quarries of Roussillon are made of great pigments ranging from yellow and orange to red. The mining of ochre has left its mark on the facades of Roussillon’s houses, and a stroll through the village at sunrise or sunset will reveal stunning colours.

The “Sentier de l’ocre” (ochre path) leads you through the old ochre quarries. If this astonishing landscape is the result of natural erosion by the wind and the rain, it has been accentuated by human hand which has cut deep galleries to extract the ochre.

In 1780, the colouring effect of ochre was discovered in Roussillon by Jean Etienne Astier, hence turning the peaceful village into a leading site of ochre production.

The legend behind the distinctive coloured ochre of Roussillon tells us a rather tragic story. Once upon a time, Lady Sirmonde, neglected by her husband, who was away too often, fell in love with Guillaume de Cabestan. When Sirmonde’s husband, Lord Raymond of Avignon, learnt about her infidelity, he plotted to kill Guillaume while hunting. Once Guillaume was dead, Raymond dug up his heart and gave it to the cook to be served to his wife. When Lady Sirmonde learnt about this terrible deed, she told him:

“You offered me such a good meal that never again will I wish to eat”.

When Raymond threatened her with his sword, she escaped and, in her flight, accidentally fell off the cliffs and died. The legend says that her blood had coloured the landscape of Roussillon forever.

Find out more about Roussillon

Shops and restaurants in Roussillon

Here is a list of shops and restaurants in Roussillon. Please note that this list is indicative and may change over time.

Traditional Provençal Market of Roussillon

The Provencal market takes place every Thursday from 8am to 12pm in the Place du Pasquier.

In terms of flavours, the market offers an array of ingredients for you to craft your meal – from vegetables, cheese, and sausages to tapenade, spices, honey, gingerbread, olive oil, and pizzas.

But Roussillon's market isn't just about food. It's also a hub for local artisans. You'll find painters, jewellers, photographers, and creators of table linens and cutlery. There are stalls laden with trinkets, sun hats, fashion accessories, and the fragrant Provençal scents that define the region.

How to get to Roussillon

Roussillon is located at :

• 100 km from Marseille
• 60 km from Aix-en-Provence
• 50 km from Avignon
• 25 km from Cavaillon
• 13 km from Apt 

By road

From Avignon, follow the D900 road (50 km, about 50 min).

From Aix-en-Provence, reach Pertuis via the A51 motorway then follow the D973 to Cadenet and the D943 / D36 via Lourmarin and Bonnieux. Follow the D149 and D108 to Roussillon.

Coming from Marseille and Salon-de-Provence, take the A7 motorway, exit at Cavaillon and join the D900 to reach Roussillon.

Nearest airport

The nearest airport is Marseille-Provence. It is possible to reach Cavaillon by bus or train. From Cavaillon there are local bus routes to Roussillon.

Holiday accommodation in Roussillon

Roussillon has a high capacity for holiday accommodation. The commune has several hotels, including five three-star hotels, many bed and breakfasts (covering all price ranges), several estate agencies offering seasonal rentals, gîtes and a three-star campsite.

Click here to book your accommodation in the Luberon or browse the map below:

On the blog and other websites

Here are some pages from our blog and other websites to find out more about this Provencal destination.

• Discover the hilltop villages of the Luberon
• Find out more about Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
• The official tourist office of the area
•  Check out the Tourist Information board of Roussillon

What to do in the Luberon

Be inspired by a list of things to do in the Luberon:

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Have you been to Roussillon? Share your experience by commenting below! 🙂