The 33rd transhumance of Saint Rémy de Provence
It is a well-known fact, Provence is a land of traditions.
If many cultural events are around bulls, some honor other century-old traditions like transhumance.
What is transhumance?
It is an ancestral tradition which moves a herd, most often sheep, from the plain to the mountain.
The first trace of transhumance would go back to antiquity.
The most ancient archaeological proofs have been found in the Crau plain; bordered by the Rhône Delta in the West, the Alpilles in the north and by the étang de Berre and the Mediterranean in the south.
The first transhumances took place in communities of shepherds living in the mountains who could not feed their herd in sheep pens during the winter.
Going down to the plains allowed the sheep to graze.
Across the years the routine was reversed.
The communities left the mountains and settled in the plains
The transhumance continued.
The herds were moved to the mountains to graze during the summer. Tradition which still exists today in Provence.
The transhumance of Saint Rémy de Provence 2016
The transhumance is one of the most beautiful traditional festival of Provence. It gathers each year all the livestock producers of the area and their flock. There are approximately 4000 ewes with their lambs, almost as many rams as well as goats and donkeys.
The shepherds parade in town in their traditional costumes with their flock and their dogs who maintain order.
The transhumance is also the opportunity to promote the unique terroir of this small town in the Alpilles.
This year it will take place on Monday, May 16, all day, in the center of Saint Rémy de Provence.
The program of the 33rd transhumance of Saint Rémy de Provence
In the program of this 33rd event:
_ From 9:00 to 19:00, flea market, cheese fair, petanque contest on the theme of transhumance.
_ From 10:00 to 1:00: Bavarian booth - place de la République organized by the Twin city committee Saint-Rémy / Pfarrkirche
_ 11:00 procession of the flocks
_ 12:00 Meal - plateau de la Crau
_ Afternoon: Sorting of the animals and demonstration of sheep dogs.
