On the ochre road
Discover the unique colours in the Apt area by following this itinerary which takes you through the ochre villages in the Luberon. The itinerary features short walks or longer hikes, museum visits, exhibitions, learning about the unusual expertise and the outstanding heritage.
From Apt, take the N100 to Roussillon. Stop in this village full of colourful façades. Then take the D227, the D101 then the D83 where there are many vestiges of the former ochre mines – Les Chaffrets, La Choque, Les Lombards.
In Gargas you can visit the superb Bruoux Ochre mines, real mineral cathedral.
Go back in the direction of Villars on the D111. West of Villars there is an ochre site with lots of iron ore. Leave Villars in the direction of Les Petits Cléments to reach Rustrel.
To the southeast, on the side of the D22 road, visit the famous Provençal Colorado. See the earth pillars, the cliffs, the box canyons. The Doa river, known as the ochre-miners river, crosses the site. Return to Apt and visit the Industrial Adventure Museum, see the displays on ochre, on faience and on candied fruits. In Apt you can also go to the ochre company "Ocres de France" or "Chauvin" where you can buy pigments for use in decorating the house or making crafts.
Itinerary on own – approximately 4 hours driving time.
Contact : T. +33 (0)4 90 74 03 18 ot@apt.fr