Roussillon

Roussillon is the name of a historic province in southern France, located along the eastern Pyrenees and the Mediterranean coast. In contemporary administration, most of its territory corresponds to the Pyrénées-Orientales department in the Occitanie region. Known in Catalan as Rosselló, the area has long shared Catalan cultural and linguistic ties. The county of Roussillon formed part of the Crown of Aragon and later of the Kingdom of Majorca before being incorporated into the French crown following the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. The region’s principal urban center was Perpignan; other important towns included Céret, Prades, and Ille-sur-Têt. Geographically, the area spans coastal plains and foothills, with agriculture and viticulture shaping its economy.

Today, Roussillon is recognized as a historical and cultural area with a distinct Catalan heritage within France. The population is diverse, and bilingual or Catalan-cultural practices persist in parts of the region. The economy combines wine production, orchards and fruit, tourism, and services. The landscape and architecture reflect a Mediterranean-influenced, borderland identity, and the area hosts festivals and markets that celebrate regional traditions.

Roussillon also refers to a separate commune in the Vaucluse department of southeastern France. Located in the Luberon area of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, this village is renowned for its ochre deposits and colorful cliffs. The hillside is threaded by the Sentier des Ocres, a popular trail through former ochre quarries; the town’s ochre-colored stone houses are a characteristic feature. Tourism, local crafts, and hospitality sustain the local economy.