Rte de la Glâne 107 Join the crowds at one of the Autumn’s alpine descents, where herds of dairy cattle are brought back down from the mountains to winter in warmer climes. Union fribourgeoise du Tourisme This end-of-summer tradition, known as the Désalpes in French, or Alpabzug in Swiss-German and is a delightful experience for all. From Flums train station it is a 3 minute walk to the village. In Switzerland, we know that summer has melted into Autumn when processions of flower-decked cows with huge clanging bells, descend from summer alpine pastures to their winter homes before the snow comes. St. Stephan. Alpine cattle descent St. Stephan. Want an insider look into traditional Swiss culture? The Dèsalpe around here will be in Sembrancher and La Fouly on Saturday 20 OR 27 September.Sembrancher Tourist Office would know which. Alpine cattle ascent and descent Engstligenalp (German) 3. In September, more than 100 animals return to the valley. The cows, as well as goats and sheep, make the descent to their homes in the valleys below in preparation for the cold winter. Alpine cattle descent During September and October, the Alpine cattle descent (in Frech "Désalpe") is the best-known of all traditional mountain festivities. Once they reach their destination in Urnäsch, a local festival kicks of, with Apenzeller cheese tasting, farmers’ market and pig races. Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1. Case postale Waiting for them in the village is a lively and loud festival of alp horns, yodelling, flags and a market of local specialties. Musical entertainment, market stalls and refreshments are all provided. I hope I still have a chance to take my wife who loves cows! Some festivals are accompanied by alphorn displays or yodelling, while others coincide with tasty farmers’ markets or other events. In the land of Gruyere, it makes sense that the homecoming of the dairy herds is cause for celebration. Please use another browser. Thank you, http://www.glarona.ch/glarneralpchaesmaert.html, http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/serv...t-4990059.html, Cattle farmer fined after buffeting Berta, Australian Cattle exports and Indonesian Animal Cruelty. Alpine cattle descent festival. In Appenzell, tradition is at the heart of the alpine descent. Nearest Le Bijou: Bern. To be able to manage this object in your favorites, the use of cookies is necessary. As for the cows, thundering bells will be hanging from their necks and brightly couloured flowers on their heads. There are cow fights, cows given as pr There are almost 600,000 milk cows in a country of just eight million people (and that’s not counting those reared for beef), cows are given as prizes in traditional sporting events, and there’s even a cow beauty contest (really). Cows are revered in countries the world over, but there are few places where they are so intrinsically entwined into traditional national identity as Switzerland. If you take the train from Vevey to Martigny you can connect directly to Sembrancher. Location: From one side of lake Zurich to the other... We are going to try to get to the one at Charmey, 29th September. You will see the "armaillis" dressed in "bredzons" and their ladies in "dzaquillons". Join the crowds at one of the Autumn’s alpine descents, where herds of dairy cattle are brought back down from the mountains to winter in warmer climes. Any more descents that anyone knows of this weekend? A festival has grown up around the day, offering visitors the chance to be a part of the tradition with alp horn and yelling displays, and plenty of local produce on offer in the restaurants and bars. The main spectacle is the parade of flower-bedecked cattle and their traditionally dressed farmers through the village. Herdsmen dressed in traditional dress lead the cows, who have are decorated with floral garlands and wearing their best bells. Seven families, 200 cows and one UNESCO biosphere make the Entlebuch alpine descent worth watching. It’s a ten kilometre walk between the summer pastures of Combe de la Biche and the farms of Boéchet, a walk that farmers and their cows make every year on the first Saturday in October. It’s worth the effort, though, as the procession is greeted by a huge festival, with local farmers dressed in colourful traditional costumes and a wide program of entertainment. After four months on the mountains, the dairy farmers prepare themselves in elaborate folk costumes, and decorate their herds with Alpine flowers ready for their return to Charmey. 2018-09-10. A relatively new reawakening of an old tradition, the event has taken place in September since 2003, but it is already one of the largest annually recurring events in the region. 1701 FribourgPhone +41 (0)26 407 70 20Fax +41 (0)26 407 70 29. A majestic alpine setting, ... particularly the cow fights and the blessing of the cattle. Alpine cattle descent Hi everyone, there's quite a few alpine cattle descents going on next weekend (where the cows come down from the mountains for the winter), but I wondered if anyone could recommend one? Following is the dairy farmer, decked out in the traditional yellow breeches and red jackets of the region, topped of with a black hat adorned with flowers. desalpe.charmey.com The decorations are symbolic of the changing of the season, a final celebration of the vibrancy of summer before the mountains don their winter whites. To provide you with the best web experience, we use cookies and tracking technologies in accordance with our privacy policy.