Roussillon is built decoratively on red cliffs and surrounded by pine forests.
The soil is rich in ochre and since Roman Times this has been extracted from the quarries and used for paint, cosmetics and numerous other things. The region is special in character because of the red, yellow and brown cliffs and the town is very interesting with its many ochre-coloured houses, narrow streets and shady squares. The ochre-coloured houses in Roussillon actually give the whole town a reddish shine.
The old ochre quarries are located east of the town.
The most fascinating cliffs are in Val des Fées (The Fairy Valley) to the south; those in the middle are named Falaises de Sang (The Blood Cliffs). At the top of the village by the church,
Castrum, there are breathtaking panoramas over the surrounding countryside.