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.
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 Provencal 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.
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. 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 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.
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
(Note: photos of Roussillon kindly contributed by theo van den boom)
Visit Roussillon (Provence, Vaucluse) travel, gites and hotels
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The Roussillon hotels listed feature descriptions, guest reviews, ratings, location maps, online booking etc. as well as the 'best-price' guarantee. The search for hotels in Roussillon is provided by booking.com. General holiday / vacation options- See Provence gites for Roussillon holiday rentals - Holiday villages in Provence Holidays nearbyLooking for something close by? See a wide choice of hotels, holiday villages and holiday rentals at: Places to Stay near Roussillon VisitSee Visit Roussillon for places to visit near Roussillon including: a detailed map, villages in bloom and most beautiful villages DiscussAsk questions or leave a comment about Roussillon in our Provence forum Airports near RoussillonAvignon airport at 43 km Marseille airport at 52 km Nimes airport at 98 km Toulon airport at 129 km Roussillon property for saleSee Provence property for sale
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Tourist Classifications for Roussillon
- Most beautiful villages in France
Places to visit near Roussillon, France
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Roussillon.
Some places to visit within 30 km: 
26 km: Ansouis (Most beautiful village) 12 km: Apt (market town) 9 km: Bonnieux (beautiful Luberon village) 19 km: Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (Popular village) 10 km: Gordes (Most beautiful village) 8 km: Lacoste (Marquis de Sade village in Luberon) 17 km: Lourmarin (Most beautiful village) 12 km: Menerbes (Most beautiful village)
See also Roussillon (version Francais)
