Transhumance in the Alps
July 6th, 2010 | Published in Features, Life & Culture | 7 Comments
Resident Grenoble Life photographer Suzanne Bonnefond shares a mini photo-essay about transhumance … and if you don’t know what that is, you’ll have to read on.
Transhumance is an ancient tradition. Herds of sheep from the South of France return to the summits of the Alps in search of fresh pastures, to stay there all summer.
In the past, these herds accompanied the shepherds arriving by foot across the Alps. It took them several days, sometimes weeks. They took the paths we now use as trails for hiking. They have been immortalised in literature by the works of Jean Giono.
These days, the herds arrive by lorry. This one came in from the Alpes de Haute Provence, having crossed the col du Lautaret.
Arriving in Chazelet, in the spectacular setting of la Meije, a herd of a thousand sheep returns to pastures 2000m in altitude, where it will stay until October.
We can easily see them on hikes in the Oisans, Belledonne or the Vercors.
Finally, if you want to hear what the transhumance sounds like, click here.
July 6th, 2010 at 9:18 am (#)
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July 6th, 2010 at 4:44 pm (#)
These are wonderful shots. Surely the sheep would prefer to do the walk than get in that lorry! They look happy enough, though once there. The scenery “up there” looks wonderful. Time for a hike I think!
Again, thank you for sharing your Grenoble.
Shonah :-)
July 6th, 2010 at 9:52 pm (#)
thanks Shonah, I hope you can go up there this summer, it is so beautiful
July 10th, 2010 at 9:44 pm (#)
Photos are great , beautiful.In my home country ,India Gujjars,the nomadic shepherds from Kashmir also migrate like this to higher grounds in snow clad Himalayan mountains .
Your photos evoked the memories of India ,
Thanks for sharing
Dr Subodh
July 13th, 2010 at 6:26 am (#)
Corking pictures!
April 8th, 2011 at 5:48 pm (#)
Dear Susan,
Thanks for the lovely pictures.
I’m a writer, with a particular interest in walking – last year I walked from England to Istanbul. I’m hoping to do some work around transhumance this summer, and how the practice is changing, and I was wondering if you had any contacts where you worked. I’ll keep this short as it’s in the comments section, but if you can drop me an email then I can outline the project in more detail. I’d very much appreciate it.
Best wishes,
Adam
October 24th, 2011 at 1:07 pm (#)
[...] Skiing asides, the imposing massifs have also provided inspiration to budding climbers and photographers alike, proving there is more to the Alps than the snow, while Grenoble Life’s armchair [...]