The Ochre Trail of Roussillon

What you should know before setting foot on the ochre trail.

The Ochre Trail ranks among the most striking sights in the Vaucluse. Here is what we share with our guests before they set off, so nothing on site comes as a surprise.

What you actually see along the trail

The path follows cliffs and fairy chimneys whose shades range from straw yellow to blood red, with every orange in between. The main walk takes 35 minutes on the short loop, one hour on the long one. The ochre soil truly stains. Wear shoes you can soil without regret, and leave white or light-coloured clothes behind.

Practical information

Entry costs roughly 3 euros per adult. In rain or strong wind, the trail closes. There is no café and no water point along the route, so bring a bottle, especially in summer when the heat bears down and the ground reflects the light back at you. The two best time slots are early morning (before 9.30am) and late afternoon (after 5pm), when the low light draws out every shade.

How to plan the day

Roussillon sits 50 minutes from Bédarrides. The village itself deserves a good hour of wandering: the façades are painted in the same ochres as the cliffs, and that visual continuity is rare enough to warrant a pause. The best rhythm is often to leave early, walk the trail before 10am, have lunch in the village, then linger there through the afternoon.

• Distance from Bédarrides: 50 min
• Trail duration: 35 min (short loop) or 1h (long loop)
• Price: about 3 euros per adult, about 1.50 euros per child
• Light tip: before 9.30am or after 5pm