Places to stay in Roussillon, Luberon ochre country
Roussillon, ochre village in the Luberon
Roussillon stands on a height above the Calavon valley, facing the Luberon. The village owes much of its identity to the ochre quarries that shaped the ground, the façades and the paths around it.
A village shaped by ochre
The red, yellow and orange tones are not just decorative. They come from a former activity of extracting and processing pigments. In the streets, coloured renders extend this link between the village and its terrain.
The conservatory of ochre and colour
Ôkhra, set in the former Mathieu ochre factory, explains the work behind the pigments: washing, settling, drying, grinding and later uses in colour. The visit gives depth to the landscape by connecting the site’s colours to an artisanal and industrial history.
The ochre country is not limited to Roussillon. Towards Gargas and Rustrel, former extraction sites and the Colorado Provençal extend the same theme, with different landforms, colours and walking routes.
Paths and nearby villages
Around the village, paths cross ochre cliffs, pine woods and open views towards Mont Ventoux. Roussillon also combines easily with Gordes, Bonnieux, Apt, Ménerbes and the other Luberon villages.
A place to visit at the right pace
Roussillon is busy in season. Staying in or near the village makes it possible to enjoy the streets before day visitors arrive, take time for a market or a terrace, and return by the smaller Luberon roads.
Places to stay near Roussillon in the Luberon
Here is a selection of guest houses, gites and charming accommodation near Roussillon and the ochre country, with direct access to each owner’s website.
Charming bed and breakfast and Holiday rentals
La Badelle
Five charming guest rooms and three holiday apartments are set within a 19th-century Provençal farmhouse, located in Saint-Pantaléon, a preserved hamlet at the gates of Gordes. This family-owned property, passed down from generation to generation, invites guests to unwind in the heart of the Luberon, with a garden and swimming pool.
Charming bed and breakfast
La Bastide de Caseneuve
Four charming guest rooms in a 18th century house entirely restored, at the foot of the Château de Caseneuve (a beautiful perched village), with a superb view of the Luberon. Pool and gourmet Table d'hôtes
Charming bed and breakfast
La Bastide des Demoiselles
Five charming guest rooms tastefully decorated in a beautiful 18th century Provencal bastide, in a hamlet near Roussillon in the Golden Triangle of the Luberon. Swimming pool and park.
Charming Holiday Home
Le Chant des Bories
A beautiful house for rent accommodating up to 8 people with an outdoor space, nestled in the peaceful Provencal countryside, just steps from Gordes and the Village of Bories. Pool, Garden.
Charming bed and breakfast
Le Clos des Lavandes
Five charming guest rooms in Lacoste in the Luberon, not far from the old castle of the Marquis de Sade. Large garden planted with lavender and Mediterranean essences.
Charming Gite
Gîte des Demoiselles
Le Gîte des Demoiselles – sleeps 4, two bedrooms – welcomes you to Roussillon, in a characterful house dating from 1893, with preserved charm: exposed stone, original beams and warm ochre tones. Enjoy complete independence, a heated swimming pool in season, and a peaceful setting to explore the hilltop villages and landscapes of the Luberon.
Charming home rental
Le Mas Jorel
A beautifully renovated Provençal farmhouse converted into a holiday home with 6 bedrooms, accommodating up to 12 guests, set within a large 1-hectare private park in Gargas, near Roussillon, in the Luberon Golden Triangle. Park, Luberon views, Heated swimming pool.
Charming bed and breakfast
La Ressence
Four spacious and comfortable rooms in a splendid 17th century bastide, nestled in the picturesque Combe de Lourmarin, which links the small and large Luberon. Swimming pool, Garden
Charming Bed and breakfast
Les Terrasses de Gordes
Three beautiful and charming guest rooms, comfortable and tastefully decorated, in a quiet stone house in the hamlet of Les Gros, three kilometers from Gordes. Panorama, pool, and guest dining.
Charming Bed and breakfast
Les Terrasses du Luberon
Five comfortable rooms completely renovated in Bonnieux ideally located, close to many amenities, a charming Provencal house with panoramic views of Mont Ventoux. Warm welcome. Large garden of 4000 m2 and heated pool.
Planning your stay around Roussillon
What is the best time to stay in Roussillon ?
Roussillon is superb in summer, when the ochres take on their full intensity in the Provençal light. Spring and autumn offer a gentler visit, with comfortable walking temperatures and quieter villages.
Summer is lively but busier, so it is best to visit early in the morning or later in the day. Staying in a guest house nearby gives you more freedom than a quick daytime stop.
Where to stay around Roussillon to explore the ochre country ?
Roussillon is a practical base for discovering the ochre landscapes of the Luberon, from Gargas to Rustrel, while remaining close to the hilltop villages of the massif.
Staying in the village is convenient if you want to enjoy the lanes, terraces and Ochre Trail without using the car. Nearby hamlets and villages often offer more quiet and make it easy to explore Gordes, Bonnieux or Apt.
The areas around Gordes, Bonnieux and Apt, Ménerbes and Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt combine villages, markets, footpaths and scenic roads.
What to do in and around Roussillon ?
A stay around Roussillon can combine village walks, natural pigments and excursions across the Luberon.
The Ochre Trail depends on opening periods and conditions, so it is worth checking before visiting. Even when the trail is not accessible, the village, viewpoints and Ôkhra help explain the link between Roussillon, pigments and landscape.
Gargas and Rustrel can also work as alternatives or complements around the same theme: Gargas for the history of ochre quarries, Rustrel for the more spectacular landforms of the Colorado Provençal.