Return from the alpine pastures festival in Annecy © French Moments
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Last Updated: 11 October 2022

I’ve known about the return from the Alpine pastures for a long time. I had heard of great festivals happening in Austria, Switzerland and Bavaria, but only recently did I find out that Annecy in Haute-Savoie organises a similar event. The festival celebrates the start of the Autumn season with a fun cattle parade through the streets of the old town. There is also folklore music and entertainment across the city. I was fortunate enough to attend the 2017 festival in Annecy and experience the authentic atmosphere, which was full of life. It was also lovely to see people coming together and celebrating life in the Alps!

 

What is the return from the Alpine pastures?

Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments

 

Basically, it’s all about cows and sheep being herded back down to the valley in October. They’ve been grazing for around four months, and it is time for the cattle to return from the pastures before winter’s rough and cold season begins.

This traditional practice is called Alpine transhumance. The Annecy event is known in French as “Le retour des alpages” and sometimes as “La descente des alpages” or “La fête de l’alpage”.

To get an idea, nothing better than a video to discover the event as if you were there. As a matter of fact, I made two videos on youtube!

Here is the one from 2017:

And the most recent video from the 8th of October 2022:

 

The Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival

Annecy celebrates this event with a great public festival where traditional activities are highlighted.

 

Craft events and demonstrations of old manual trades:

Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Demonstration of old manual trades at the Festival, Annecy © French Moments

 

Folklore bands:

Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
A folkloric band playing at the Festival, Annecy © French Moments

 

Without forgetting the tasting of local produce from the historic province of Savoie:

French Cheese Quiz - Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Cheese from the Savoie region © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Tartiflette dish at the Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
The harvest Annecy © French Moments

 

If you look carefully, you’ll see the flag of Savoie proudly flying in numerous places.

Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
The flag of Savoie © French Moments

 

As well as cowbells on display by the St. François de Sales church.

Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Cowbells, Annecy © French Moments

 

The parade of Alpine herds

The day’s highlight is the parade of Alpine herds, which takes place along an itinerary meandering through the picturesque centre of Annecy. The colourful cattle parade is a feast for the eye. Cows are adorned with flowers and ribbons, and you can hear them approaching by the sound of cowbells attached to their heavy leather collars.

Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
The cow and its bell © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
The calves © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
The cows parading at the festival, Annecy © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
The cow parading at the festival in Annecy © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
After the parade, the cows enjoy a rest by the canal © French Moments

 

Cows are not the only cattle parading, other farm animals also participate in the procession: goats, sheep, donkeys, mountain dogs…

Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Mountain dogs © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
The chickens © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
The goats © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
The sheep herd © French Moments

 

The farmers and their beautiful costumes

Many farmers from the Savoie region (and beyond!) participate in the parade. It was such a great moment to see Alpine farmers proudly and happily wearing traditional costumes.

Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Beautiful traditional costumes from the Savoie region © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Parading at the Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Parading at the Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments

 

There were many people parading with music:

Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Parading with music at the Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Accordion players at the parade © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Musicians at the parade © French Moments

 

Some were walking, others were sitting on a horse-drawn cart:

Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
At the parade © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Parading at the alpine Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments

 

Others prefer to put on their skis:

Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Isn’t it a bit early for skiing? © French Moments

 

The 2022 edition of the Alpine festival

Here are some photos taken during the parade on 8 October 2022.

The weather was not as sunny as in 2017, but fortunately, the rain stopped just before the parade started. To take these photos, we stood on the rue du Collège Chapuisien and then on the bridge in the rue de la gare.

The procession consisted of the country folk groups and the animals.

 

The country folk groups

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

 

The animals

The last part of the procession included mountain dogs, sheep, goats and cows (Montbéliardes, Abondances, Tarines).

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

Alpine Festival of Annecy 2022 © French Moments

 

You can also watch my video on YouTube by clicking here.

Return from the Alpine Pastures in Annecy - 2022

 

Where to stay in Annecy?

It is best to organise accommodation in advance to avoid disappointment. Click on this affiliate link to our partner booking.com or search for your accommodation on the map below:



Booking.com

 

Plan your visit to the Alpine festival in Annecy

Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments

 

  • As you’ll probably guess, the festival is perfect for children, but you must be aware that the crowds can be overwhelming.
  • The cattle parade across the old town generally departs at 2.30 pm, and it takes 1hr to 1.5hrs to complete the set itinerary.
  • My favourite spots to attend the cattle parade are the picturesque and narrow streets of rue J.J. Rousseau and rue Grenette. People start positioning themselves 45-60 minutes before the departure of the parade. Head to rue de la gare to enjoy the parade with more space.
  • The Alpine festival attracts many people from 9 am to 6 pm, and you may find it hard to park your car. Either arrive early (before 9 am), park your car outside the town centre… or like us, arrive by train!

Here is the itinerary followed on 8 October 2022:

Return from the alpine pastures in Annecy 2022

 

Blogs and Websites for more info!

  • To find out more about the return from the Alpine pastures in Annecy, check out the Annecy Traditions website [in French only]. It will give you a map and more information before each annual festival which takes place on the second Saturday of October.
  • Check out the blog for more articles about Annecy!
  • For more practical information about the city of Annecy (hotels, restaurants, other activities and festivals), check out the Tourist Board website.

Did you find what you read interesting? If so, please do share this article on Facebook or Twitter!

 

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Discover the Festival of the Return from the Alpine Pastures in Annecy © French MomentsDiscover the Festival of the Return from the Alpine Pastures in Annecy © French Moments

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Find out more about the Festival of the Return from the Alpine Pastures in Annecy © French Moments

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About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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  1. Pierre,

    I'm so glad you were able to see this wonderful festival in person, especially with Aimée – what a treat! Your pictures gave me mixed emotions. On one hand I felt as though I was at the festival and on the other hand, it made me want to visit Annecy even more! Continue to enjoy your visit to France!

  2. Have been to the Transhumance Fetes in Appenzell, Switzerland and Reith Im Alpbachtal, Austria.
    Great stuff!

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