The local area

Le Colorado Provençal – Rustrel

The tiny village of Rustrel leans against the Plateau d’Albion in the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon. Visit the famous “Le Colorado Provençal”, a unique site with contrasts that will take your breath away. Go for a lovely walk and enjoy the extensive palette of colours with its numerous shades of orange, flaming red, yellow and purple. Ochre is the colour of the Luberon, as it were. The ochre-coloured soil has resulted from silt deposits, caused by the withdrawal of the sea, millions of years ago. There is plenty of parking as well as a restaurant. In la Maison de Colorado you can purchase souvenirs, postcards, ochre pigments and craft products.

Go for a walk in this lovely area with its vivid orange chimneys and the colours of the Sahara, that change from white into purple. This area is a delight at every time of the year.  Here, you have the choice between a short and easy 30-minute walk or a slightly more difficult, but still easily navigable walk of 1.5 hours that incorporates a height difference of 350 metres. 

  • The starting point is the parking lot, on the way to the chimneys that resemble elements of a fairy tale, where you can enjoy the spectacular views. 
  • Make your way down alongside a small brook (often dry) and climb up the other side following the “Sahara” signposts. From here on you can choose from several tracks towards the rod, white and orange hills. 
  • Return to the parking lot via the old viaduct and the remains of the ochre factory.

For a delightful, convivial lunch in the village of Rustrel we can recommend the ‘Auberge de Rustreou ’. Its menu is limited but the meals are delicious. Meat dishes are a specialty here. Very friendly and accommodating staff.

“Visit the famous Colorado Provençal” , a unique site with amazing contrasts. Go for a lovely walk and enjoy the extensive palette of colours“

By car from Ferrassières: 35 km, 36 min