Literally meaning the “Return from the Pastures”, the festival marks the time when alpine farmers bring their herds down from the higher mountain pastures to graze below the snow line and stay in the heat of the farm until spring.

Each year the winding, cobbled streets and canal sides of Annecy’s beautiful old town play host to a multitude of stalls and displays of traditional Savoyard fare. Tables are set out to serve tartiflette from vast metal skillets (an alpine dish made from potatoes, onion, ham, garlic, cream and cheese), crozets (pasta from Savoie), carquelins (fritters) and rézules (pear ravioli puffs), washed down with hot wine, cider or apple juice served from ancient wooden presses and casks. Skilled craftsmen in regional dress show observers how their forefathers used to carve clogs, spin wool and lace and play the alpine horns and there is music and dancing in the old squares.

At 14:30 the main parade begins, when farmers from many communities, each with their own patterned banner, begin to herd their animals through the old streets. Docile tan and white alpine cattle wear intricate head-dresses woven from flowers, geese carry smart gingham bows around their necks and immense feathered carthorses clatter through the crowds pulling fancy carts of locals in traditional dress. There are children holding flower baskets, dancers, fiddlers, horn players and alpine soldiers.

The festival represents a fascinating insight into the old traditions of the French Alps and it continues to draw large crowds of both performers and watchers. So if you are in the area on October 13th 2007 then why not come along to see for yourself?

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