Transhumance in Saint Rémy-de-Provence

In May 2024, La Table des Amis de Provence offered “Transhumance in Saint Rémy-de-Provence” to members and friends.

Transhumance is the migration of sheep and shepherds from low pastures to higher ground. Traditionally, shepherds start moving their flocks to higher pastures in May or early June before the warm, sunny Provençal weather dries out the grasses and water becomes scarce. Sheep and other animals spend the summer in the cooler, lusher pastures of the Alpilles before heading back down to the lowlands usually in October. The migration includes more than 3,000 sheep, a few donkeys, goats, sheepdogs and shepherds making two rounds on the boulevards of Saint Rémy departing from the Plateau de la Crau at 10h30. What better way to watch the parade than to sit down at a table with friends on the terrace of the Bar de Tabac des Alpilles, which also happens to be known as “les comptoirs du gigot”. Patrick has reserved his best seats for us at the Bar Tabac from 11:00 a.m. to enjoy an aperitif while watching the sheep pass by close enough to pet them. There would be a bit of time following the running of the sheep to visit the foire à la brocante and marché aux fromages in Saint Rémy before the lunch. Lunch menu: amuse bouche, starter, leg of lamb, potatoes dauphinoise, salad and dessert (fish option for the main course if requested when arriving to the Bar Tabac).

Historical account reconstructed from La Table’s archived event materials.