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Grand Vallon Festival
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A traditional, festive day in the mountains
CONTENTS
©Alice Simonard
©Tintin Photos
Sunday, July 6, 2025
This mountain festival, organized by the Comité des fêtes des Orres, invites you to discover the customs and traditions of Les Orres. A region proud of its centuries-old history and identity!
The day's program
◾ From 11am: blessing of the herd at Grand Vallon, near Chapelle Saint-Pierre.
◾ Lunch break near the cabane de la Rama (Croix de Saint-Jean): picnics drawn from the bag, complemented by sangria and grilled meats offered by the comité des fêtes.
"Le groupe des Baratons" will dance in traditional costume.
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©Les-Orres
"Upstreaming": a centuries-old tradition
What is "amontagnage"?
Amontagnage is the time of year when farmers lead their herds of cows, goats and sheep into the Orres mountains. On foot, accompanied by shepherd and guard dogs, they set off from the various Orris hamlets at the end of June to reach the mountain pastures. All summer long, the animals enjoy the fat, tasty grass and cool temperatures, far from the sun that dries out the valley.
These transhumances are a real event: villages often organize festivities when the herds pass through. In Les Orres, the Amontagnage festival has been held for centuries at the Grand Vallon. Farmers, shepherds and villagers get together to share an invigorating snack: sausage, ham, eggs and bread.
The Grand Vallon festival
Amontagnage is still celebrated today. Residents and all those who wish to follow the transhumance can do so by getting up very early and wearing good shoes.
To ensure that this tradition lives on and is enjoyed by as many people as possible, the Comité des fêtes organizes this event at the Grand Vallon. The highlight of the Amontagnage is the open-air mass with the blessing of the herds. Open-air games, traditional boules matches and musical entertainment enliven the day. For those with a sweet tooth, sangria and grilled meats are available to round off the picnics.
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©Les-Orres
Amontagnage is one of the three historic festivals that continue to this day (along with Ficelière and Sainte Marie Madeleine).
Les Orres
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©Alice Simonard
©Les-Orres
©Studio-Berthier
©Les-Orres
©Tintin-photo (2)
©Les-Orres