OFFICE DE TOURISME CAUSSE AIGOUAL CEVENNES

Superb day finishing here from Valleraugue, not far from the start of the 4000 Steps Trail, to Espérou on the D986, passing through the hamlet of La Penarie, the Mouflon Observatory, L'Espérou, and the Col de Serreyrède, the traditional summer transhumance takes place every June using the "drailles," ancestral paths used by shepherds leading their flocks to the summer pastures accompanied by their "patous" dogs and other "border collies."
Then, in Espérou, the Transhumance Festival is celebrated : parades of colorful pompom herds, sheepdog and shearing demonstrations, pompom-making workshops, entertainment, a local market, and a lovely buffet full of local products to have a lovely snack.

In this little corner of the Cévennes, near Mont Aigoual. This ancestral tradition is all the more precious because it is still practiced in very few places in the world, where the original paths are used by shepherds and their flocks to reach the summer pastures.
During this festival, everyone comes together to appreciate the charm of the Cévennes and its traditions ! First of all, to reach the heights of Espérou, near Valleraugue, we see the most beautiful Cévennes panoramas. Sometimes, up to five mountain ranges stretch out before our eyes, and we find a place to stop the car, admire, and take photos!
Some roads lead directly to expanses of Cévennes sweet onion fields, magnificently arranged in terraces or "faïsses", typical of the landscapes of these lands of yesteryear.
To the sound of bells, the herds migrate. And then ... the announcement of the first herd arriving ! Everyone is at attention, people are lining up on either side of the road, some are already heading into the field. Everyone is listening intently, bells are ringing from the distant herds; it's getting closer! We're watching for the shepherd and his sheep, eager to see them migrate and take part in the celebration. The flock passes by; in a brief moment, it's already reached the meadow. It's the first wave, but there will be many more flocks on the way, and we'll see them file past one by one until noon.
In the small square, traditional dances and songs set a folkloric rhythm, bringing a few people together to clap their feet and clap their hands. Children are not left out, as play areas have been set up, and we can see families happy to enjoy this celebration, picnicking in the grass alongside the entire 1,400 sheep. There's no doubt about it : wonderful memories and beautiful photos from this day of migration ! Finally, in the middle of the afternoon, the herds settled into their summer pasture, and now they are on vacation until autumn... lucky them !

Trop beau, pas mal de balades à faire, un peu plus bas il y a pas mal de champignons à chercher

très beau

Climatographe super intéressant, restaurant et gîte agréable. Personnel sympathique.

Très bon accueil merci