Pastoralism Festival
Celebration of pastoral farming and agro-pastoral traditions in Florac
2026
About Pastoralism Festival
Pastoralism Festival — edition 2026
The Causses and Cévennes Pastoralism Meetings will take place in Florac Trois Rivières from Friday, September 25th to Sunday, September 27th, 2026, in celebration of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists declared by the UN. This three-day event is co-organized by the Cévennes National Park and the Interdepartmental Agreement for the Causses and Cévennes. The program includes the "Élevage" show at Parc Arnal, a pastoral producers' market, a forum for pastoralism stakeholders, round-table discussions and a lecture at the Institut Agro, a screening of "Bergers du futur," an Occitan dance with Mbraia, and three farm visits on Sunday. All activities are free, excluding food and drinks.
2026 Edition — Three days in Florac
The event is officially titled "Rencontres du pastoralisme en Causses et Cévennes." It is co-organized by the Cévennes National Park and the Interdepartmental Agreement for the Causses and Cévennes, with support from the LEADER program (GAL Sud Lozère), the municipality of Florac, the Gorges-Causses-Cévennes community of municipalities, the Institut Agro de Florac, and the Genette Verte cultural complex.
The organizers have set three main goals: to discover the trades, products, and expertise related to pastoralism; to engage with farmers, shepherds, associations, entrepreneurs, and institutions; and to understand the challenges facing pastoral practices in the region.
Local Stakeholders Forum, Saturday morning
On Saturday morning, the esplanade will host a forum space, with a welcome and information point at the Place du Souvenir managed by the Interdepartmental Agreement and the Cévennes National Park.
- Training Hub: CFPPA de Florac, Institut Agro de Florac
- Professional and Agricultural Consulting Hub: Chambre d'agriculture de Lozère, Copage, Fédération des Groupements Pastoraux Gard Lozère, CIVAM 48, ADEAR 48, Terre de Liens, the PROS'PAIRS livestock guardian dog network coordinated by the Institut de l'Élevage, the Shepherds' Union (Saint-Jean-du-Gard branch), and farmers from the Causse Méjean
- Awareness and Regional Projects Hub: Département de la Lozère, Grand Site de France des Gorges du Tarn Jonte et Causses, Grand Site de France du Cirque de Navacelles, CPIE des Causses Méridionaux, Parc naturel régional des Grands Causses, Cévennes National Park, LPO 48, PETR Sud Lozère, Takh Przewalski horses
- Crafts Hub, featuring technical demonstrations: Objectif laine, Maison Grandadam, Chris et Dji Artisanat d'art en cuir
Activities are planned throughout the day at local shops in Florac. Partners associated with the event include: La Berlue, the Florac media library, the Martin and Roume butcher shops, the Maison des Paysans, Le Grand Magasin, La Nouvelle Dimension, Maison Grandadam, Tuff Aventures, the CFPPA de Florac, Lauseta, and about ten local restaurants.
Regarding the program below
The schedule is based on the program released in August 2026 by the Interdepartmental Agreement for the Causses and Cévennes, presented as provisional, and supplemented by the timetables published by the Cévennes au Mont Lozère tourist office.
Highlights Pastoralism Festival 2026
- "Élevage" show by Les Animaux de la Compagnie — Friday, September 25th at 7:00 PM at Parc Arnal
- Pastoral producers' market and pastoralism stakeholders forum — Saturday, September 26th from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, Place de la Mairie and the esplanade
- Lecture "Climate and pastoralism in the Causses and Cévennes" by Vincent Cailliez (SIDAM) — Saturday, September 26th from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM at the Institut Agro
- Screening of "Bergers du futur" by Lionel Roux, followed by a discussion with Michelle Jallet — Saturday, September 26th at 6:15 PM at Florac Castle
- Traditional Occitan dance with Mbraia and their "Pica lo Pé" program — Saturday, September 26th at 8:00 PM at La Genette Verte
- Three farm visits in the region — Sunday, September 27th at 9:30 AM, registration required
Programme Pastoralism Festival 2026
Friday, September 25th, 2026
- 6:00 PM — Official opening of the Meetings · forecourt of La Genette Verte
- 7:00 PM — "Élevage" show by Les Animaux de la Compagnie · Parc Arnal (moved indoors in case of rain: La Genette Verte according to the organizers, or the village hall according to the tourist office). Theater, dance, music, and songs exploring rural life and its evolution, directed by Camille Lucas, duration 1 hour. Free.
- On-site — Refreshments and light snacks available.
Saturday, September 26th, 2026
Ongoing, from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM:
- Photo exhibitions "Diversités pastorales" and "Transhumances" · Town Hall and La Genette Verte
- Photo exhibition "Tour de France des paysages pastoraux" · throughout the town
- Photo exhibition "Éleveuses et bergères dans les Cévennes" by Laurine Habert · courtyard of the Cévennes National Park castle
- Sculpture exhibition by local schools from the Causses and Cévennes region · old courthouse
- Selection of books on pastoralism · Florac library and La Berlue bookstore
- Selection of films on agriculture and livestock farming · La Nouvelle Dimension
- 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM — Tours of the CFPPA de Florac processing workshops
- Activities at local shops
Throughout the day:
- 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM — Pastoral producers' market · Place de la Mairie
- 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM — Forum and partner information stands, with technical demonstrations of wool and leather work · Esplanade Marceau Farelle
- 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM — Musical parade by the Santudobem batucada through the town streets
- 9:30 AM — Guided tour of the Tuffery workshops and presentation of the local wool industry · Tuffery workshop
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — Stop-motion animation workshop for children on the theme of pastoralism · La Nouvelle Dimension, 1 rue du Pêcher
- 11:00 AM — Opening of the sculpture exhibition by local schools · old courthouse
- 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM — "Passing on pastoral skills": discussions with shepherds and farmers · Institut Agro de Florac
- 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM — "Pasto Menu" at partner restaurants (paid)
- 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM — Round-table discussions on pastoralism challenges with local stakeholders: local supply chains, predation, new farmers, agricultural income · Institut Agro
- 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM — Technical demonstrations · Parc Arnal: working with herding dogs, animal care, presentation of local sheep and goat breeds, intervention on livestock guardian dogs
- 2:30 PM — Guided tour of the Tuffery workshops and presentation of the local wool industry · Tuffery workshop
- 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM — Lecture "Climate and pastoralism in the Causses and Cévennes" by Vincent Cailliez, climatologist at SIDAM (Massif Central Chambers of Agriculture network) · Institut Agro
- 6:15 PM to 7:45 PM — Screening of the documentary "Bergers du futur" by Lionel Roux, followed by a discussion with Michelle Jallet, former head of the Merle Shepherd School · Florac Castle, headquarters of the Cévennes National Park
- 7:00 PM — Light snacks · forecourt of La Genette Verte
- 8:00 PM — "Pica lo Pé" concert and traditional Occitan dance with Mbraia, featuring Paulin Courtial (guitar, vocals) and Arnaud Cance (percussion, vocals) · La Genette Verte, 33 avenue Jean Monestier. Free.
Sunday, September 27th, 2026
- 9:30 AM — Departure for three farm visits · meeting point at the parking lot of the Maison du Tourisme et du Parc national des Cévennes, Place de l'Ancienne Gare. Free, registration required.
The three farms open that morning:
- GAEC de l'Hort — Solpérières, Vébron: organic farm specializing in sheep farming, with ewes, rams, and lambs, at the foot of the Causse Méjean. Guilhem Roux, sheep farmer.
- Ferme de Rampon — Bédouès-Cocurès: market gardening, chestnuts, and sheep/lamb farming. Lisa Thomas, transhumant sheep farmer.
- GAEC de Louisou — Fraissinet-de-Lozère: organic farm, cattle and sheep farming. Yves Commandré, cattle and sheep farmer on Mont-Lozère.
Registration is mandatory by Friday, September 25th, at 04 66 45 01 14. Places are limited; please wear walking shoes.
On the same day, the Saint-Michel Fair takes place in Meyrueis; the farm visits are organized in parallel.
This program is released by the Interdepartmental Agreement for the Causses and Cévennes as a provisional version and may still change before September.
Prices Pastoralism Festival 2026
"Pasto Menu" at partner restaurants, Saturday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM: paid.
Refreshments and light snacks available on-site Friday and Saturday evenings.
Sunday farm visits: free, registration mandatory by Friday, September 25th, at 04 66 45 01 14, limited spots.
Practical information — Pastoralism Festival
Getting There
The festival takes place in Florac Trois Rivières (48400), home to the Parc national des Cévennes. Events are spread throughout the town: place de la Mairie, esplanade Marceau Farelle, Parc Arnal, château de Florac, Institut Agro, complexe culturel de la Genette Verte (33 avenue Jean Monestier), the old courthouse, La Nouvelle Dimension (1 rue du Pêcher), ateliers Tuffery, and the CFPPA.
By car: From Mende, take the N88 then the N106 towards Florac (approx. 40 minutes). From Millau, take the route through the Gorges du Tarn or the A75.
Pricing
All events are free, excluding food and drink. The special "menu pasto" served on Saturday lunchtime at participating restaurants is a paid option. The three farm visits on Sunday morning are free but require advance booking by Friday, September 25th, by calling 04 66 45 01 14. Spaces are limited and walking shoes are recommended.
Contact
Entente Interdépartementale des Causses et des Cévennes: 04 66 48 31 23, [email protected], Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
Parc national des Cévennes: 6 bis place du Palais, 48400 Florac Trois Rivières, 04 66 49 53 00.
Office de tourisme des Cévennes au Mont Lozère: 04 66 45 81 94.
Pastoralism in the Spotlight in the Cévennes
The Pastoralism Festival is a major event organized in Florac Trois Rivières, the headquarters of the Cévennes National Park. Its ambition is to showcase the reality of pastoral farming and the essential place it holds in territories and society. This unifying and demonstrative gathering highlights all facets and all actors of local pastoralism.
Living Heritage inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List
The Causses and Cévennes are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as a "cultural landscape of Mediterranean agro-pastoralism". The Pastoralism Festival is fully committed to promoting this living heritage which shapes open landscapes, supports rich biodiversity, and contributes to the cultural identity of the territory.
The International Year of Pastoralism
The 2026 edition of the festival takes on a special dimension, as part of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralism declared by the United Nations. The Cévennes National Park, in close partnership with the Entente Interdépartementale des Causses et des Cévennes, participates throughout the year in highlighting pastoralism.
A Rich and Varied Program
The festival offers a program combining festive moments and reflection on pastoralism:
- Screenings of documentaries on pastoral farming
- Conferences and round tables bringing together shepherds, scientists, and local stakeholders
- Sharing of experiences among livestock professionals
- Producers' market showcasing local Cévennes products
- Meetings between shepherds, scientists, residents, and visitors
Florac, Heart of the Cévennes
Florac Trois Rivières, located at the confluence of the Tarnon, Mimente, and Tarn rivers, is the historic seat of the Cévennes National Park. Its exceptional geographical location, between the Causses and the Cévennes, makes it the ideal place to host an event dedicated to pastoralism, an ancestral practice that has shaped the landscapes of these mountains.
Where does it take place — Pastoralism Festival
Pastoralism Festival in brief
Other festivals near Florac Trois Rivières
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