By the end
of May, when drought is such that the grass can no longer feed
the sheep and water has become scarce, the sheep begin their
long journey towards the high mountain pastures.
Each year, herds of sheep leave Provence.
Today carried out by truck, this trip, done by foot in the
past, involved more than 10 days of walking.
A traditional and moving
fête, dear to the hearts of the Provençal people,
the Fête de la Transhumance in Saint Rémy de Provence
is without doubt the most famous festival in the south of France,
which brings back to life the departure for the high pasture
lands. |
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Starting
at 10.30am, more than 3000 sheep from the Alpilles as well
as goats and donkeys, accompanied by their shepherds and
sheep dogs, will parade twice around the old town center.
The public can admire close up the rare
spectacle of this ocean of sheep. |
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You
can also enjoy a stroll through the small streets of the
old town, where shops and art galleries will be open, and
visit the flea market, which takes place all day. |
The
afternoon is given over to a demonstration of the training
of sheep dogs on the plateau of the Petite Crau, to the north
of Saint Rémy. |
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