Transhumances en Couserans
The ascent of herds to the mountain pastures, a living tradition of the Pyrenees
About 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.
Transhumances en Couserans — edition 2026
The Transhumance in Haut-Salat 2026 takes place on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14 in Seix, in Haut-Couserans (Ariège). Blessing of the flocks in front of the church, a grand parade animated by six folk groups, a market of artisans and producers, traditional workshops, concerts, and a shepherds' meal at the gymnasium. 2026 is the International Year of Pastoralism.
Transhumance 2026: a pastoral weekend on June 13 and 14 in Seix
The Transhumance in Haut-Salat 2026 will be held on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14 in Seix. This edition is part of the International Year of Pastoralism proclaimed by the UN for 2026, honoring the expertise of breeders, shepherds, and shepherdesses of the Pyrenees.
Saturday, June 13: the big parade day
The highlight takes place on Saturday morning. At 8:00 AM, Gisèle Gouazé's flock (1,000 sheep) leaves the center of Seix towards Salau. At 9:00 AM, Édouard Souque's flock arrives in the village, followed at 9:30 AM by the blessing of the flocks in front of the church. At 9:45 AM, it's the start of the grand parade of flocks and folk groups: Gais Rimontais, Ensemble Fédération PGL, Bethmalais, Biroussans, Majoret's Homme, and Massipous.
Activities, workshops, and demonstrations in the afternoon
From 12:00 PM, catering opens in the village square with a concert by Valeria and the Mountain Boys. The afternoon offers a rich program: making paillassou and an ornithological walk with the Parc Naturel Régional from 1:30 PM, workshops (rye doll, clay molding, wool guinguette, clog making), conference on Pyrenean breeds, sheep shearing between 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM, donkey language at Campot at 3:00 PM. At 6:00 PM, an aperitif animated by Valeria precedes at 6:30 PM the shepherds' speeches and the bell ceremony. The day concludes at 8:15 PM with the shepherds' meal and cabaret evening at the gymnasium, featuring Compagnie Glossy and caterer Calbet.
Friday, June 12 and Sunday, June 14: transhumance in the mountains
The event actually spans three days around Seix. On Friday, June 12, the transhumance towards the Port d'Aula summer pastures begins for three days of high mountain trekking. On Sunday, June 14, Mr. Fournier's flock leaves Oust towards Estours, while the Port d'Aula flock arrives in Oust in the afternoon.
Programme Transhumances en Couserans 2026
Friday, June 12, 2026 — Port d'Aula Transhumance
- All day: Departure of the transhumance towards the Port d'Aula summer pastures (3 days of high mountain trekking, paid accompaniment 20 € / day, reservation GAEC 06 87 23 21 07)
Saturday, June 13, 2026 — Big day in Seix
- 8:00 AM: Departure of Gisèle Gouazé's flock (1,000 sheep) from the center of Seix towards Salau
- 9:00 AM: Arrival of Édouard Souque's flock in Seix
- 9:30 AM: Blessing of the flocks in front of the church of Seix
- 9:45 AM: Grand parade of flocks and folk groups (Gais Rimontais, Ensemble Fédération PGL, Bethmalais, Biroussans, Majoret's Homme, Massipous)
- 12:00 PM: On-site catering and concert by Valeria and the Mountain Boys
- 1:30 PM: Paillassou making · Ornithological walk with the PNR des Pyrénées Ariégeoises
- 2:00 PM: Workshops (rye doll, clay molding, wool guinguette, clog making) · Conference on Pyrenean breeds
- 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Sheep shearing demonstration
- 3:00 PM: Donkey language at Campot
- 6:00 PM: Aperitif animated by Valeria and the Mountain Boys
- 6:30 PM: Shepherds' speeches and bell ceremony
- 8:15 PM: Shepherds' meal and cabaret evening at the Seix gymnasium — Compagnie Glossy, caterer Calbet (37 € adult, 20 € child)
Sunday, June 14, 2026 — Valley Transhumances
- Morning: Departure of Mr. Fournier's flock from Oust towards Estours
- Afternoon: Arrival of the Port d'Aula flock in Oust
Highlights Transhumances en Couserans 2026
- Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026
- Over 4,000 animals in transhumance towards the summer pastures
- Blessing of the flocks in front of the Seix church (9:30 AM)
- Grand parade animated by 6 folk groups (9:45 AM)
- Concerts by Valeria and the Mountain Boys
- Demonstrations: shearing, clog making, paillassou, clay molding, donkey language
- Conference on Pyrenean breeds
- Market of artisans and producers from Couserans
- Shepherds' meal and cabaret evening with Compagnie Glossy
- 2026, International Year of Pastoralism (UN)
- Free access to main activities
Prices Transhumances en Couserans 2026
Practical information — Transhumances en Couserans
Access
- Location: Seix village, 09140 (Ariège, Haut-Couserans)
- By car: From Saint-Girons (20 km north), take the D3. From Toulouse (120 km), A64 exit Boussens then D117 towards Saint-Girons, then D3 towards Seix. Free marked car parks on the outskirts of the village.
- Traffic: Seix village crossing is blocked on Saturday mornings between 8:00 AM and 12:30 PM during the passage of the herds and the parade.
Typical Program
- 9:00 AM: Arrival of the herds in Seix village
- 9:30 AM: Blessing of the herds in front of the church
- 9:45 AM: Grand parade of herds and folk groups
- From 12 PM: Catering, concert, artisan and producer market
- Afternoon: Workshops, demonstrations, traditional entertainment
- 8:15 PM: Shepherds' meal and cabaret evening at Seix gymnasium
Prices
- Accompanying the herds and attending the parade: Free
- Shepherds' meal: 37 € adult, 20 € child (5-11 years)
- Workshops: 6 to 16 € depending on the workshop
- Transhumance Port d'Aula (3 days): 20 € per day
Reservations
- Couserans Pyrénées Tourist Office: 05 61 96 00 01
- Online: reservation.tourisme-couserans-pyrenees.com
- Transhumance Port d'Aula (GAEC): 06 87 23 21 07 (reservation before May 25th)
Contact
- Official website: www.transhumances-haut-salat.com
- Transhumance en Couserans Association: Mairie de Seix, 09140 Seix
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Where does it take place — Transhumances en Couserans
Village de Seix et estives du Haut-Salat
Mairie de Seix, 09140 Seix, 09140 Seix