The United Colours of Roussillon

Architecture nuts are inevitably amateur geologists as well. Building talk leads to discussions about building materials, decorative finishes and the changes wrought by the builder's or sculptor's hand. 

Tossing in some geography, we debate the sourcing of the stone, the miles materials travel.  Some of the oldest and grandest monuments travel the farthest -  like the (stolen) black Egyptian granite statues in Split, Croatia or obelisks in Rome.

 The workmanlike limestone of the pyramids, the Welsh bluestone at Stonehenge. 

The infinitely malleable tuffeau of Chenonceau. 

 

Closer to home, I love knowing that Perth's astonishing purple sandstone was quarried near Otty Lake in the same county. Humbler story, but fascinating.

My interest in building materials made our visit to Roussillon in the Luberon area of Provence a delight. For in Roussillon, the red clay sandstone standing in eroded pillars in ancient quarries is the origin of the famed ochre pigment which moved the cave artists to creation, inspired centuries of artwork and has lent its earthy yellow, orange and red hues to this most picturesque village.

Here's a good description of the area on this Avignon and Provence site.

And we would be remiss, in this Provence beloved of artists, not to include the artist's perspective. Do visit this link, it's a wonder. 

And here, because my role is as a  consumer of beauty rather than a creator, is my open-mouthed homage to the village as I rambled about, its rustic walls painted like the earth around it