France > France regions > Provence > Vaucluse > (Luberon) > Roussillon
Roussillon
Roussillon ('most beautiful villages of Provence') is about 15 kilometres north-west of Apt.
Tourist Information and places to visit
Roussillon has been inhabited since neolithic time, then later by the Romans who also left their traces. For me, one of the most exciting things about Roussillon is that Samuel Beckett lived there during the Second World War.
In Roussillon, the most memorable feature is not Roussillon itself, but the ochre mines below the village. The range of colours in the white-orange-red rocks is extraordinary, and the curiously shaped rock formations add further to the spectacle. It creates a fascinating 'out of this world' experience (like a miniature version of Bryce Canyon National Park, in the US).
You will not be surprised if the Lone Ranger appears around the corner...although if you only have time to visit one set of ochre mines you might prefer nearby Rustrel instead).
Don't let the splendour of the mines stop you from passing some time in the village itself. Roussillon is yet another uber-attractive Provencal village. The colour in the mines is mirrored in the colours of the house in Roussillon itself, above the mines - the extraordinary colour of the houses in the village, tinted by the ochre that was once mined here, really does make Roussillon different to the other villages in the region.
If at all possible you should try and see Roussillon when the first sunshine of the day strikes the village, to see the glowing colours of the house at their most stunning. Of course, this will be quite early during the summer so you might prefer to visit in April or May.
Roussillon has many beautiful houses, constructed mostly about 300 years ago, and also has its fair share of tourism related gift shops and galleries etc, like all the 'most beautiful villages of France' in this popular Luberon region.
It is a lovely little village to explore - shady squares, fascinating architectural details, faded shutters, cats sleeping on windowsills - everything you hope for from a Provencal village. After passing up through the village, and making numerous detours to see the small squares, and taking hundreds of photographs of beautiful architectural details, you reach the Church of Saint-Michel, and lovely views over the surrounding countryside.
Nearby in Luberon
Roussillon and the surrounding area is covered in the 'Holiday Ideas' section about the Luberon. All three of the villages just to the south - Menerbes, Lacoste and Bonnieux - are very well worth visiting, as are the other Petit Luberon villages
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Places to visit - Roussillon
Explore places within about 70 kilometres on a map at Visit Roussillon.
Some of the closer places are listed below (distances from Roussillon are approximate and direct - as the crow flies. Only places listed on the france this way site are shown!)
- Fontaine-de-Vaucluse Popular village at 19 km
- Gordes Most beautiful village at 10 km
- Lourmarin Most beautiful village at 17 km
- Menerbes Most beautiful village at 12 km
Tourist Classifications for Roussillon
- Most beautiful villages in France
Information and photos
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