Have you heard of the Provençal Colorado? Often compared to the rocky outcrops of the great parks of California, I’m taking you to the south of France to discover this magnificent site nicknamed the Far West of the Luberon.
The Colorado Provençal is located in Rustrel in the Vaucluse department, PACA region (Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur). It stretches over 30 hectares in the Luberon Massif and, as its name suggests, bears a striking resemblance to the Colorado landscape in the western United States (only much smaller, of course). Also known as the ” Hill of 1000 colours“, the exceptional landscapes of the Ochres de Rustrel (another nickname for the Provençal Colorado) are the result of the combined work of man and nature. Today, the Colorado Provençal is one of the natural sites classified as a “Grands Sites de France”, offering us a breathtaking spectacle.
I invite you to consult all our articles on the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region to help you plan your trip:
- My unforgettable encounter with the Mercantour wolves
- What to see and do in Cannes, discover my must-sees
- Cannes, a must-try guest house in the town centre
- Discover Marseille and its creeks by boat
- The new Tohapi mobile homes in the hinterland
- The Monts d’Azur reserve for unusual accommodation and wildlife watching
TABLE OF CONTENTS :
| THE COLORADO PROVENÇAL, KÉSAKO
Before it became the magnificent wilderness it is today, the Colorado Provençal was first an industrial site exploited for its natural ochre from the end of the 17th century until 1992, when the last ochre producer retired. Rustrel’s ochre was mined and sent to all four continents. Today, it has become a major site in the south of France, made up of dirt paths, cliffs and eroded rock where it is very easy to wander freely.
Let’s start with the geology of this area. 230 million years ago, Provence was covered by the sea, which over time gave way to sandy-clay sediments. Millions of years later, after the sea had receded, tropical rains caused the iron-oxide-laden sands to weather. The iron oxide in these sands concentrated and caused clay minerals to crystallise, combining with yellow and red iron oxides. Ochre ore is therefore a kind of clay loaded with iron oxide, combined with a very high proportion (80 to 90%) of sand.
This cameo of colours comes from an exceptional quantity of iron that has been extracted from seawater, concentrated and buried in the faeces of crustaceans that lived on and in the sandbank at a time when the sea was warm and shallow. There is also manganese, aluminium and glauconite, a grey-green clay mineral. It is this mixture of several minerals that gives the ochres their unique range of warm colours. The ochre colours of the Provençal Colorado are quite magical, contrasting with the green tones of the vegetation and the blue skies of southern France.
| DISCOVER THE COLORADO PROVENÇAL SITE
It’s fairly easy to visit the Provençal Colorado on your own, as you’ll only be walking along the dirt paths that lead up to the eroded cliffs. However, for those who wish, guided tours are organised and can only be booked on site. No advance booking required.
Visits to the Colorado can now only be made on two marked trails, in one direction only, and access to the Cheminées de Fées is forbidden (municipal bylaw), as is access to the Désert Blanc. Site protection officers are on hand to enforce visitor rules and provide information.
The site is fairly large and can be done over the course of a day. It includes various viewpoints such as the ” white desert “, the ” Sahara ” and the ” fairy chimneys “. These landscapes are crossed by the GR6 long-distance hiking trail, and 2 loops are available: one lasting 40 minutes and the other 1 hour 45 minutes, the Belvedere circuit. The level of difficulty is easy to medium, as there are a few short, stony ascents and descents. A number of eroded features such as cliffs, needles, canyons, ravines and caves will punctuate your walk.
| THE FAIRY CHIMNEYS
From the car park, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the main ” fairy chimneys ” site, which for us was the most beautiful spot. We really took the time to photograph every little nook and cranny, and to have fun with the angles, shadows and perspectives. The colours at sunset were just incredible… At times, we thought we were in the bush in Namibia. The Colorado Provençal is a great place to improve your photography skills!
Be warned: we were told late on by local guides that itwas strictly forbidden to climb the white cliffs, as they are quite simply friable, and that every year there were falls and serious accidents. I think it’s a shame that there are no signs stating this important information, because like everyone else, I wandered around without thinking about the danger this could represent. So be vigilant and be aware of the risks you run.
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Practical info
→ RATES:
- Motorbike €2
- Cars €5
- Campervans €8 per day and €4 per night
- Minibus €12
- Coach €30
- Guided tour: €3 / child and €6 / adult
→ ⏱ RUSTREL TRAILS OPENING TIMES.
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February to June: daily from 10am to 4pm
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July and August: daily from 8am to 7pm
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September to December: daily from 10am to 4pm
In high season, the last entries are possible until 7pm, and leaving the site is at 8pm. We chose to explore the site in the late afternoon to admire the warm colours of the Provençal Colorado, but also to be quieter. Even during the week (we were there on 2/09/2020), there were still a lot of people there at 3.30pm. So opt to do the site from 4.30pm or even 5pm and there, you’ll clearly have far fewer people on site.
- You’ll find month-by-month updates of prices and opening times on their official website.
- Pets are allowed, but dogs must be kept on a lead!
- Horses are permitted on the blue trail only, subject to a signed agreement, and are not permitted on the ochre dunes.
→ RESTAURATION
- Near the car park and at the start of the trails, you’ll find an area with picnic tables, a restaurant “Les mille couleurs” just off the Colorado car park and 2 refreshment stands where you can buy cold drinks and ice creams.
→ PRECAUTIONS
- Visiting the Colorado by bike is strictly forbidden.
- Drones are permitted on the site, but you must apply well in advance.
- The site is not recommended for pushchairs because of the sandy paths. Don’t forget your baby carrier when visiting the Colorado Provençal.
- You can wear comfortable clothes (I was in a dress :p) to visit the site. Just remember your white shoes…. which won’t be white at the end of the day!
- Some areas are slippery due to the crumbly nature of the rocks, especially on the whiter side, so make sure you take grippy shoes.
- Picnicking on the site is prohibited.
→ ⚠️ CAUTION:
- Please note that the Colorado Provençal may be closed to visitors in the event of an exceptional fire risk between 1 July and 15 September. We checked the site the evening before at 8pm.
| WHERE TO SLEEP NEAR COLORADO PROVENÇAL
We rented an Airbnb in Saignon, Marie’s Cabanon in the heart of the Luberon. The Cabanon is a delightful blend of old and new. On one side, a renovated former sheepfold with dry stone walls forms the main (and private) living quarters. On the other, a contemporary extension includes a covered terrace and the guest rooms ‘Marie’ and ‘Isidorine’, with their charming little tree-lined terraces. The decor is well thought-out, there’s a lovely swimming pool, a large garden and a very warm welcome – in short, this is a little haven of peace that we’ve found.
Take advantage of up to €40 off your Airbnb booking by clicking on this link
➡️ If you haven’t found what you’re looking for in terms of accommodation on Airbnb, we invite you to check out the best offers and book on booking around Rustrel.
➡️ If you plan ahead, you could also book one or two nights in unusual accommodation around the Colorado Provençal. Check availability and book here.
| HOW TO GET TO COLORADO PROVENÇAL
- The site is on the side of the road, so it’s easy to find. There is a charge for access, and parking rates vary according to the type of vehicle.
- Visits are unaccompanied, although guided tours are available in season.
- Le Colorado Provençal is 1 hour’s drive from Avignon and Aix en Provence. Find your car hire at the best price here.
- For those who want to see other landscapes, I invite you to discover the Roussillon Ochre Trail. Don’t forget to visit the village of Roussillon, which has been awarded the “most beautiful village in France” label.
Before you leave, check out all our articles on the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region to help you plan your trip:
- My unforgettable encounter with the Mercantour wolves
- What to see and do in Cannes, discover my must-sees
- Cannes, a must-try guest house in the town centre
- Discover Marseille and its creeks by boat
- The new Tohapi mobile homes in the hinterland
- The Monts d’Azur reserve for unusual accommodation and wildlife watching
