Gruyères: The Alpages

Des Alpages : Gruyères, CH

Yesterday, we went to Gruyères to meet some friends for lunch. We got a little lost and ended up caught in the annual Alpages where the Swiss bring their livestock down from the mountains for the winter. It was a beautiful day for it and it's always fun to see the Swiss holding on to their traditions in this 21st century world.

 All decked out... : Des Alpages : Gruyères, CH

These are definitely not filthy, stockyard American cows. These bovines have enjoyed summers in the high pastures and meadows of the Alps, eating grass and clover and soaking up the sun. If you're a cow in Switzerland, you're livin' the good life!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/11

Alpages a la Gruyères

Des Alpages : Gruyères, CH

This time of year in the Alps of Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France, and Germany, is the end of the grazing season for the cattle. Many of the villages and towns put together small parades or larger festivals celebrating the return of the cows--and in some places, the sheep and goats, too--from the mountains and hillsides. In French, it's called des Alpages. In German, it's called the Almabtrieb. I just call it "FUN!" Today, we went to Gruyères and had to pull onto the shoulder to let the cows and their herders by. Here is some video.

Video copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/11