Fête de l'Alpage
Traditional festival of the alpine pastures and mountain heritage in Le Grand-Bornand
About Fête de l'Alpage
The Fête de l'Alpage: more than fifty years of alpine traditions
The Fête de l'Alpage in Le Grand-Bornand is one of the oldest and most popular traditional festivals in Haute-Savoie. Since the late 1960s — the 56th edition was held in 2024 — this festive day celebrates pastoral life, mountain agriculture, and the ancestral know-how of the Aravis massif's alpine pastures. It takes place in Le Chinaillon, a high-altitude hamlet of Le Grand-Bornand, in a spectacular natural setting between green meadows and limestone peaks.
A day rich in traditions and festivities
The Fête de l'Alpage unfolds over an entire day, from morning to evening, with a program that combines sport, traditions, gastronomy, and conviviality:
Morning: race and remembrance
The day begins with a popular running race (3 km and 1.5 km) open to all, followed by an open-air mass that brings together locals and visitors in the majestic setting of Le Chinaillon.
Lunch: country meal and orchestra
The traditional country meal, accompanied by a live orchestra, brings together hundreds of guests around Savoyard specialties in a festive and warm atmosphere.
Afternoon: traditions and shows
The afternoon is full of activities: folkloric group demonstrations, spectacular lumberjack competitions, parade of decorated floats on a theme renewed each year, sheepdog demonstrations, and introductions to climbing and grass skiing.
Evening: reblochon, fireworks, and ball
At the end of the day, a demonstration of reblochon and tomme blanche making allows visitors to discover this emblematic know-how of Haute-Savoie. The festival continues with an animated dinner, fireworks, and a free popular ball that concludes this day of sharing and tradition.
An identity event for Le Grand-Bornand
The Fête de l'Alpage is much more than just a village festival: it is an act of transmission of the pastoral and artisanal heritage of the Aravis. It testifies to the attachment of the inhabitants of Le Grand-Bornand to their territory, their traditions, and the alpine pasture life that has shaped the identity of this valley for centuries.
Fête de l'Alpage — edition 2026
The Alpine Pasture Festival returns on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, to Chinaillon, in Le Grand-Bornand. A great day of pastoral traditions on the theme "The States of America": foot race, open-air mass, country meal, Savoyard folklore, lumberjack competition, float parade, Reblochon cheese making demonstration, fireworks, and free dance.
2026 Edition — Sunday, August 2nd, theme "The States of America"
In the heart of Le Grand-Bornand's alpine pastures, Chinaillon hosts the unmissable summer event. The Alpine Pasture Festival celebrates the pastoral world and mountain craftsmanship: demonstrations of traditional trades, Reblochon cheese making, lumberjack competition, decorated float parade, and Savoyard folklore. Admission is free, and numerous food stalls are present throughout the day. An enhanced shuttle service (line A) connects the Village and Chinaillon throughout the event.
Programme Fête de l'Alpage 2026
Sunday, August 2nd, 2026 — Chinaillon, Le Grand-Bornand
- 9:30 AM — Foot race (adults 3 km, U15 3 km, U10 1.5 km) · registrations at inscription-alpage.chrono-ski-aravis.fr
- 10:30 AM — Open-air mass
- 12:00 PM — Country meal animated by the Orchestre d'Harmonie du Grand-Bornand
- 1:30 PM — Savoyard folk groups and start of the lumberjack competition
- 3:30 PM — Float parade on the theme "The States of America"
- 6:00 PM — Lumberjack competition finals
- 6:30 PM — Reblochon cheese making demonstration
- 7:00 PM — Aperitif followed by a meal animated by the group "Captiv"
- 10:00 PM — Fireworks followed by a free dance (DJ)
Throughout the day: demonstrations of traditional crafts and know-how, climbing initiation and children's activities, grass skiing, food stalls.
Highlights Fête de l'Alpage 2026
- Decorated float parade on the theme "The States of America"
- Reblochon cheese making demonstration (6:30 PM)
- Lumberjack competition
- Fireworks and free dance to close the event
Prices Fête de l'Alpage 2026
Practical information — Fête de l'Alpage
Practical Information
Location
Le Chinaillon, high-altitude hamlet of Le Grand-Bornand, Haute-Savoie.
Access
By car: Le Grand-Bornand is located 35 km from Annecy. Le Chinaillon is 5 km above the village.
Shuttles: Reinforced shuttle service between the village of Le Grand-Bornand and Le Chinaillon all day and in the evening, with departures every 15 to 30 minutes.
Prices
Free admission for most activities. Country meal and dinner are paid.
Contact
Le Grand-Bornand Tourist Office
Le Grand-Bornand, 74450
Website: www.legrandbornand.com
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Where does it take place — Fête de l'Alpage
Le Chinaillon - Le Grand-Bornand
Le Chinaillon, 74450 Le Grand-Bornand