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Luberon UNESCO Global Geopark
鈥淔ootprints and fossil bones of primitive mammals are an important part of Luberon鈥檚 geoheritage鈥
Celebrating Earth Heritage
The Luberon UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the southeast of France, in the Provence region, close to the towns of Aix-en-Provence and Avignon.
Oligocene fossiliferous deposits are one of the major geological interests of this territory. Indeed, very thin platy limestones reveal a great variety of animal and plant fossils, which are well-preserved in sharp detail. Just like an open book, each thin lamina is like a photographic film preserving part of a several million-year-old environment. These superimposed plates have revealed an abundance of fish, leaves, insects, frogs, birds, tortoises and more. Other sites reveal fossil bones of primitive mammals (horses, elephants, and gazelles) but also footprints of rhinoceros, hyenas, young goats and birds. The landscapes of the Luberon constitute an important element of the geodiversity of this region. One of the most remarkable is the Ochre Massif, a protected area since 2002, which offers a landscape of cliffs and gullies, ranging in color from dark red to golden yellow. Similarly, the grey marl hills around the town of Apt are another unusual landscape, stratotype of the Aptian stage 120 million years ago. The exploitation of mineral resources (ochres, lignites, clays and limestones) has deeply marked the region and is attested by several ovens, quarries and factories. For the benefit of visitors, on-site information panels and information leaflets are available.
Characteristics
Designation date
2015
Country(ies)
Transnational
No
Area (ha)
195,000
Population
188,136
Density
89
