The Ochre Roads

Annie had suggested we spend some time exploring the ochre mines and gorges north of her base in la Roque as we had shown an interest in the geology of the area.

We weren't sure what to expect but set off on a beautiful morning to see what we could find. Our first port of call was Roussillon, the centre of the French ochre mining business up until the 1950's. The town is now completely dependant on the tourism industry to provide its income and was our first experience in France of a "tourist town" - full of souvenirs and very overpriced. The mines however were spectacular. They are open mines, i.e. no tunnels and shafts, and typically cut into cliff faces.  The extracted material was then washed and processed to remove the ochre and this was then shipped all over the world.  The red earth is a striking contrast to the usual white or sand coloured earth of the predominantly limestone region.

First glimpse of the ochre rich ground.

We couldn't resist this one....

The contrast with the green vegetation is fantastic.

Giant 'ant hills'

The colours of the excavated areas are truly amazing!

We then continued through the Luberon valley to Rustel where ochre mining has created a gorge of red rock named the French Colorado. We hiked through the area and made the most of the light and colours.

We had a lovely walk through vegetation very similar to the fynbos and dry forests we find at home.

Red and orange spires at the start of the mine.

An area of white and maroon earth mined for their colours.

Known as "the Sahara" area of the mine, you have to see it to believe it.

Climbing ochre rock is not recommended if you want to stay clean!!

The highlight of the day however was the driving. Most back roads in France seem to have been built to closely follow the tracts that were there before and thus are typically narrow and winding which makes for specatular driving, and Geoff suggested even better cycling!