Transhumance in Saint Rémy-de-Provence

In June 2025, La Table des Amis de Provence offered “Transhumance in Saint Rémy-de-Provence” to members and friends.

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 10h30 to enjoy an aperitif while watching the sheep pass by close enough to pet them. Before or after the running of the sheep you may wish to visit the foire à la brocante and marché aux fromages in Saint Rémy. Lunch menu: amuse bouche, starter, leg of lamb, potatoes dauphinoise, salad and dessert (fish or other option for the main course if requested when arriving to the Bar Tabac).

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