The stunning Ochre Trail
Rousillon sits on a hill 10 km east of Gordes. The Sentier des Ocres, or Ochre Trail, is a short and easy hiking trail through a former ochre quary and the surrounding woods.
The sudden explosion of brilliant colour in the landscape – set off by green forests of pines and oaks – comes as a dramatic surprise as you walk through this area. It’s caused by iron oxide deposits in the sandy soil, whose origins can be traced back millions of years, when Provence was under water.
Walk along the old terraced hillside in Goult, have lunch in Lourmarin or in Bonnieux, two villages that have a great selection of cafes & restaurants, visit the very photogenic village of Gordes and its honey-coloured stones, or stroll through Menerbes, a haven for several artists and writers : Peter Mayle, Nicolas de Stael, Picasso, …
