The Colorful Ochre Mines of Roussillon

Roussillon is a small village in the Provence region of France. What sets it apart from the surrounding villages is the colorful ochre cliffs that surround it. These cliffs are actually former mines that were used to extract ochre pigment. The vibrant colors of the cliffs ranging from yellow, orange, red, and even pink along with the surrounding greenery make for a picturesque view. In the village, there are several art galleries featuring paintings created with the natural pigments from the ochre mines. The village also has a rich history with a medieval castle and a 12th-century church. I was fascinated by the geological process behind the formation of ochre and the creative use of natural resources by the humans.