21st October cont'd, Roussillon

Roussillon is classified as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages in France" and it's to where we headed after our Mont Ventoux descent. We travelled through vineyards, lavender fields (not in flower), soaring gorges and incredible scenery.
Roussillon is perched atop Mont Rouge (Red Mountain) at about 300 meters - Mont Rouge is part of an enormous deposit of ochre which gives the earth and Roussillon's buildings that distinctive red colour. Ochre provided this village with its economic base until shortly after WW11, when cheaper substitutes took over and now tourism props up the village. It has been a protected village since 1943 and has benefited from a complete absence of modern development and demands of one to devote serious camera and coffee time during a visit.
The views from the village at 300 meters over the valley of Luberon are stunning and a wander through the narrow streets keep the camera clicking.

View approaching roussillon showing ochre cliffs to the left

Lavender field at rest

Scene in narrow Roussillon street

Red ochre cliffs as seen from the village

View of Luberon valley

View of Roussillon from the cliffs