ALPS & PROVENCE

Transhumance mainly involves sheep breeders who are either looking after their animals, hiring salaried shepherds or entrusting their herds to alpine breeders. The large transhumant herds come from La Crau and the Mediterranean departments, and their herds head towards the Alps (200 to 500 k). Medium transhumance is practiced by sheep and cattle breeders, based notably in the Pre-Alps, over a shorter distance (50 to 100 k). High mountain herders, including cattle and goats, do a local transhumance to nearby mountain pastures. Winter transhumance involves mountain herds, including those from Northern Alps, who come to spend the winter and part of the spring on the plains or coastal forests. Finally, true nomadism is practiced by the “herbassiers”, landless breeders moving from one grazing place to another, all year round.