Colorado Provençal

About this place

The Colorado Provençal is a former ochre-quarrying site in the commune of Rustrel, Vaucluse, southern France, in the Luberon massif about 10 km from the town of Apt. Ochre was extracted here from the late 17th century until 1992. The site is often compared with the great national parks of the United States, hence its name. Millions of years ago the sea retreated, leaving sand beds rich in coloured clay that became ochre. Ochre is a strongly coloured clay with more than 20 recognised shades, from yellow to red, orange, purple and brown. The site covers more than 30 hectares. The old quarries hold cliffs, fairy chimneys and small canyons carved in ochre, in colours from blazing vermilion to bright yellow. The colours contrast with the green of the pines and the white of the surrounding limestone, so the place looks like another continent. Waymarked trails cross the old quarries, including the Barriès and Bouvène cirques and an area called the Sahara, and the long-distance GR 6 trail passes through. The fairy-chimney area is closed because it is dangerous. Ochre stains clothes and shoes, so wear old ones, and avoid the hottest hours in summer.