We’re all familiar with the amazing photogenic Far-West landscapes that have given the Luberon its reputation. But since the health crisis, the rise in the number of people visiting during the summer is threatening to erode its spectacular hilly areas, so since 2022 the organisation that manages the site has set up an online booking system, compulsory from May until August.
The ochres of Luberon
After the ochres of Luberon contributed to the industrial wealth of Provence in the 19th and 20th centuries, today they can be explored as a fascinating visual and historical heritage. The most popular remains Roussillon village, known for its brightly-coloured façades and the ochre trail you get to directly from the village (paid access).
Ôkhra, the enthralling ochre ecomuseum, with its wide selection of activities, workshops and high quality exhibitions, the Mines de Bruoux in Gargas, vast cathedrals of ochre (also by booking only), and finally, the Provençal Colorado, at Rustrel.
The Provençal Colorado
It has been possible to visit this former ochre quarry site for a long time, so long as you parked in the authorised car park (pay and display).
Visitors had the choice of two itineraries according to time available and how fit they are, and adults and children could be seen climbing over the ochre dunes scattered around the site.
Since the health crisis, the Provencal Colorado has recorded a clear increase in summer visitor numbers. This dangerously increases its erosion and makes the visit less comfortable.
New visit conditions
Did you know ?
Pedestrians, bicycles and motorbikes can access the site without booking from 8am to 7pm within the limits of the maximum number of visitors being respected.
An initial step consisted of prohibiting access to the dunes in order to protect them, then the decision was taken in summer 2022 to put in place a booking system.
In 2025, in May and June, you’ll have to reserve a time slot for your arrival at the car park from the opening of the site until 1pm, and payment will be made at the ticket office. Access without booking is possible after 1pm.
In July and August, access to the car park from 8am to 1pm will only be available if you have reserved and paid for your parking space online. The calendar opens the evening before at around 6pm for the following day, depending on the Prefecture’s fire risk bulletin. Access without booking is still possible from 1pm to 7pm.
These measures made it possible to manage visitor flows by spreading them out more evenly over the day, improve road safely in the area around the site (which had previously been compromised by the often chaotic parking along the access roads) and improve both the experience of the visit and the safety of visitors who find themselves in a forest area at risk of fire, with the possibility of a sudden evacuation.
Get information before visiting
In order to guide visitors, a procedure has been implemented in order to give them the best information before their visit.
The website www.coloradoprovençal.fr and a voice server give real time information about how many people are visiting the Provencal Colorado.
A team of protection agents are on site throughout the summer to inform visitors, but also to ensure that the indications for preserving the site are respected.
A mobile app about the historical and geological past
Booking online gives access to a richly illustrated app that supplies all information to understand the site’s history, its geology and environmental richness throughout the circuit.
Practical information
Beware: coaches must book their visit by contacting the Colorado Provencal on 00 33(0)4 90 75 04 87 or by email asso.colorado@orange.fr.
Colorado Provençal
www.coloradoprovencal.fr
T. +33 (0)4 90 75 04 87
asso.colorado@orange.fr
Catherine Aragnol
T. +33 (0)4 88 60 39 51 / +33 (0)6 43 97 76 06
Credit ©M. Planque, A. Hocquel, T. Verneuil, G. Kessler, Lezbroz, M. Coquard, Oiseau Rose