The year 2026 was declared the “Pastoral Year” by the United Nations. A significant symbol given the current geopolitical context. When the mayor of Fontvieille, Gérard Garnier, and his team chose to reintroduce the event three years ago, it was not so much in the spirit of a simple commemoration, but rather in the preservation of a tradition cherished by the elders and the inhabitants of the Alpilles in general. It is highly likely that both young and old will feel a tug at their heart when the sound of the bell approaches on Sunday.
The event will kick off this Friday, April 17th at 7:00 p.m. with the screening of the documentary “The Last Great Transhumances” during a film-debate evening at the Eden, Fontvieille’s municipal cinema. The documentary, in the presence of the director René Mannent, delves into an exceptional transhumance, following a herd of 2,000 sheep as they cover 200 kilometers on foot in ten days, from Provence to the slopes of the Alps, through magnificent landscapes.
On Sunday, there will be a parade of herds and traditional groups. On Saturday, April 18th at 2:00 p.m., the pastoral immersion “In rhythm with the herd” will take place…
