What are the sheep doing in the South ?

June is ideal to take long walks and enjoy the high mountain pastures with wild flowers and fragrant grasses. It is during this period when days are long, the light magnificent and heat bearable, that shepherds choose to lead the sheep to the high mountain pastures.

And it is also the occasion for the whole valley to celebrate. Herds arrive on Friday, at around midday, in the Holiday centre "Le Martouret" and this woollen sea of some three thousand head of livestock is particularly impressive.

They go through the old town and Die's market with music and then they take the Vercors road, with a stopping place at Chamaloc, for a huge picnic, with barbecue and varied animations.

The herd spends the night at the foot of the Vercors while those accompanying enjoy the "Fête de la Musique" in Die (It is June 21^st!)

It is at six o'clock the following morning, that it is necessary to be hale and hearty to restart in the direction of the Rousset pass and attack the ascent. All day long, one can attend shearing demonstrations, sheepdog performances, stroll through the stalls, and enjoy the music, with hikes in high mountain pastures on the programme.

You should not miss spending the night in high mountain pastures in the Cabane de Pré Peyret, with the shepherds and the herd. All those who already experienced it have wonderful memories of it. The next day, you just have to cross, at your own pace, the Réserve des Hauts Plateaux and join the Combeau valley. Drunk with nature and the open air!