The ôkhra project
ôkhra’s aim is to promote the arts, sciences and crafts of color, by developing a cultural cooperative open to different generations of visitors and professionals, in order to disseminate resources and pass on knowledge and know-how.
The Mathieu factory, abandoned since 1963 as an industrial wasteland, was bought by the Roussillon town council and has been open to visitors since 1994. The washing systems, kiln and mills have been restored to show the various stages of ore processing, from extraction to shipping. This technical history of ochre is set in its local and international economic and cultural context, so that everyone can grasp the past, present and future challenges of this material, which remains an inalterable natural pigment with centuries-old uses.
A number of members of the training center’s staff have worked on the layout. You’ll discover artistic, contemporary and artisanal works. At the bend in the path, you’ll spot Marielle Bonnefoi-Peterson’s sundial, Claudia Serantès’s lighting fixtures give life and light to our exhibitions, and Solène Delahousse’s trainee sgrafittos decorate the former factory foreman’s shed.
Through our guided tours, we aim to share with you our passion for ochre and color.
MEDIA CONTACT
Ochre, color and light as horizons; Roussillon and Luberon as destinations. The knowledge and skills of color preserved and passed on here offer the press and journalists inexhaustible and constantly renewed subjects.
ôkhra Écomusée de l’ocre
570 route d’Apt
84220 Roussillon