メネルブの天然記念物・トップ20

Very well-known and well-visited, but still a must-see. The colors are breathtaking, and the path through the ochre cliffs is very well-marked. The back section (red route) is also worth the effort.

The view is fascinating. The sunlight can change within a very short time and the rocks can shine in various shades of ochre and even orange. Worth seeing!

Definitely recommended, the visit: It is called Colorado Provencal

The place is the namesake of the department of Vaucluse. Until 1946, this was also the official name of the municipality. In order to avoid confusion, it was decided in that year to change the name to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. Vaucluse is derived from the Latin "Vallis clausa" which means "closed valley". During the Middle Ages, the village church was a place of pilgrimage because of the tomb of Bishop Veranus of Cavaillon.

It is in this village that the source of the Sorgue emerges from the rocks, which is the largest resurgence in Europe. The underground river emerges from the depths above a dizzying cliff 230 meters high. Its flow is enormous: it is ranked fifth in the world with an annual flow of 630 to 700 million cubic meters. The beauty of this natural site makes it one of the most visited places in the department. In the past, it attracted a number of poets and writers who came to meditate here: Pétrarque, Chateaubriand, Frédéric Mistral and René Char are a few examples. A word of advice: in peak tourist season, go visit the source early in the morning, because the flow of tourists is also significant.

Important for photographers: I would do the tour in the morning, otherwise the rocks are in the shade. And honestly: I think the rocks are overrated.

The Ochre Trail (Sentier des Ocres) near the mountain village of Roussillon leads through the former quarries and offers remarkable landscapes that have been shaped by the ochre industry and nature over two centuries. For a small entrance fee, you can immerse yourself in the formation of ochre and the history of its use. The beautifully laid out trail through the former quarries is a unique experience. We were here in mid-March in the best weather; the colors were particularly intense and there were hardly any visitors with us.

The Ochre Trail (Sentier des Ocres) leads through the former quarries and offers remarkable landscapes that have been shaped by the ochre industry and nature over two centuries. The bike remains in a parking space, the Ochre Trail can only be experienced on foot. As there are many stairs, the Ochre Trail is not suitable for strollers/wheelchairs. There are signposted 30 and 50 minute loops, but I recommend the long loop because otherwise you will miss an impressive scenery.