Desalpe festival in Les Haudères

More than 100 days have passed since the Inalpe: the herds have enjoyed the freedom of the alpine pastures, while the farmers have battled with the hay, often in harsh conditions.

Today, animals and humans gather at the mayen before slowly descending back to the village: a milestone of the farming year, to be celebrated as it should be!

To highlight this key moment of the Val d’Hérens and its farmers, we invite you to share a great day of festivities in the enchanting setting of the village of Les Haudères and its arena, the Hérens Arena.

Under the auspices of the Association of the Maison des Reines, the organizing committee has designed a program that combines living traditions with the daily life of today’s farmers.

The program

• From 10 a.m.: Stroll through the streets of Les Haudères, near the restaurants and around the Place de la Poste, to discover a human-sized craft market, where quality prevails over quantity.

• At 11 a.m.: The village restaurateurs welcome you for a complimentary welcome drink, followed, if you wish, by a meal to be enjoyed on site (a map will guide you).

• At 2 p.m.: An original parade awaits you! The cows will remain at the mayen for now, in order to be spared from the dermatological disease, but sheep, goats, horses, and mules will proudly march through the village streets. Depending on the conditions and the weather, the parade may also include live haymaking, or a display of the agricultural machines used for this work, from traditional tools to the most modern ones.

• From 3:30 p.m. at the Hérens Arena: Immerse yourself in the farming world thanks to a series of activities and demonstrations designed to answer all your questions: biodiversity, history and secrets of the Hérens breed, livestock health and care, the making of bells and straps, sheep shearing with wool preparation, and special encounters with goats, sheep, and mules. Children will become apprentice bakers by making and baking their own little bread in a wood-fired oven. Each stand is run by passionate people determined to share and explain, so that no mysteries remain about the daily life of farmers.

• From 4:30 p.m. and late into the evening: Under the shelter of the Maison des Reines, it’s time for raclette! Come and enjoy it with music, featuring cheeses from the alpine pastures and dairies of the Val d’Hérens, for a true journey of flavors