Transhumances en Couserans

A Millennia-Old Pastoral Tradition in the Heart of the Pyrenees

Transhumance — the seasonal ascent of herds to high-altitude pastures — is an ancestral practice that has shaped the life of pastoral communities in the Pyrenees for millennia. In the heart of Haut-Couserans, in the upper valleys of the Salat and its tributaries, this tradition has remained particularly vibrant. Every year in June, shepherds and farmers from Seix and neighboring valleys lead their herds — sheep, cows, horses, and Mérens — to the estives, these high-altitude pastures where the animals will spend the summer feeding on fresh grass.

The Grand Parade of Herds

The highlight of the event is the grand parade of herds, which takes place on Saturday morning from 10:15 AM to 12:30 PM. The animals cross the village of Seix in a spectacular procession, escorted by their shepherds in traditional costume and enlivened by the folk groups Tradadou and Béthmalaise, who perform traditional music and dances from Couserans. Before the departure, a blessing of the herds is given in front of the church of Seix, between 9 AM and 10 AM, to protect them during the ascent and the summer season.

Over 4,000 Animals Marching Towards the Pastures

Each year, the transhumance mobilizes over 4,000 animals that take different routes to reach their respective pastures. The Pastoral Group of Mont Rouch organizes the ascent in several stages over several days, from the plains to the high mountain pastures. The pastures of Pouilh, Salau, and Ustou welcome the herds for the entire summer. This grandiose spectacle, combining bells, sheepdogs, bleating, and the sound of hooves, offers a moment of authentic emotion and a living link with the Pyrenean pastoral world.

Market, Crafts, and Living Traditions

In the afternoon, a market of local artisans and producers takes over from the parade, offering mountain cheeses, cured meats, honey, jams, and crafts from Couserans. Demonstrations of traditional know-how punctuate the day: wheat threshing, sheep shearing, rope making, manual cow milking, and butter making. These workshops allow visitors to discover the ancestral gestures that shape mountain life, in a friendly and festive atmosphere. The transhumance is inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.