The Colorado Provençal de Rustrel (official route)

The entrance to Colorado Provençal is at the "Mille Couleurs" parking lot along the D22 between Rustrel and Gignac.

(S/E) When you leave the parking lot, follow the Orange Sentier des Belvédères signposts, respecting the direction of the visit. At marker S1, turn right to follow the trail that follows the bed of the Doa river. From marker S12, the trail begins to join the ochre quarries.

(1) From S14 to S18, the trail crosses the former main quarry called "Sahara", marked by wooden stakes. The ochre sand dunes must not be climbed for their protection.

(2) Marker B1 indicates the continuation of the Orange circuit. The Blue trail returns to the parking lot. Take the Orange trail, which goes deeper into the forest to reach three lookouts.

(3) A first lookout overlooks the main quarry. Continue along this path.

(4) The second one overlooks an old quarry with fairy chimneys. Return to the path and, at marker B09, turn right and get to the white quarry known as "Désert Blanc".

(5) Continue to follow the Orange signs to the left to return to the parking lot. At marker B11, take the shortcut across the River Doa to the trailhead (S/E).

Please note : the Colorado Provençal site is under surveillance, and visitors are asked to follow the instructions and direction of the trails.
The land crossed by the hiking trails is private property, so please respect it and stay on the marked paths (risk of cliff falls and landslides).

It's best to visit during the off-season, as the site is very busy, or to come as soon as it opens in the morning. In July and August booking is ssential, as the forest is subject to the Vaucluse prefectoral decree on fire risks (https://www.risque-prevention-incendie.fr and the Colorado website).

Visit the Colorado

Rustrel's Colorado Provençal is a private site listed as a natural monument of historic interest. The trail winds its way through former open-cast ochre quarries, which were exploited from the 19th to the 20th century. The Association du Colorado de Rustrel manages this tourist site, which is subject to visitor regulations.

Entrance fee includes parking, access to the site for vehicle occupants, leaflet and activation code for a mobile discovery application.
For schedules, rates and daily access conditions consult www.coloradoprovencal.fr
Voice server : 04 90 75 04 87.
Download the mobile discovery application if you wish. It explains the industrial history of the site and ochre mining, geology, fauna and flora.