The meeting takes place every year, around May 25, to celebrate our Aubrac cows. For the occasion, the entire plateau vibrates in unison and is decorated in the colors of Aubrac. Why do we say that it is the most important party in the sector? For its number of visitors? Yes, but not only that… Let’s lift the curtain behind the scenes of this event and look at some figures!
Locations of the festivities
- Aubrac : 1 village of around fifteen inhabitants
- At the crossroads of 2 regions: Occitanie and Auvergne Rhône-Alpes
- Border to 3 departments: Aveyron, Cantal and Lozère
- For 4 days of celebration!
The stars of the party
The most awaited day is Sunday, with the arrival of transhumant herds. These are 8 herds, i.e. 300 Aubrac cows who walk to the sound of bells and cowbells, in the sun or in the rain. And sometimes even in the snow!
The herds crisscross the valleys to arrive at the meeting point: Aubrac, to then join their respective summer pastures. It is Mr. Puech's herd which covers the most kilometers with its 65 km over 2 days. They leave from the farm located near Saint-Julien-de-Rodelle to reach the plateau at an altitude of 1 meters.
The upstream organization
25 local authorities support this celebration: from the small rural town, to the region.
Everything needs to be arranged in Aubrac to receive visitors. It is necessary to organize the site and install large marquees to accommodate the 22 exhibitors of the local fair and house the “ephemeral restaurant” of transhumance, with its 4 meals served. These marquees require installation over 5 days, involving around fifteen people for nearly 2 m000 covered!
To help with this immense organization, many small hands come to support. These are 14 associations partners of the event to which are added the families and friends of transhumant breeders, i.e. approximately 300 people volunteers.
Local economy
The 8 visitors in 600 reported more than a million euros in economic benefits throughout the plateau and surrounding areas. These are 80 local companies who collaborate to carry out the event.
The feast in numbers
For almost 4 meals served on Sunday, there are:
- 1 ton of aligot
- 500 kg of Aubrac meat
- 300 bottles of Aveyron wine
For 6 signs of quality highlighted during these meals, namely:
- AOP Laguiole (cheese)
- IGP Fresh Tome de l’Aubrac (cheese)
- AOP Marcillac (wine)
- AOP Estaing (wine)
- IGP Fleurs d’Aubrac (meat)
- BFA Red Label (meat)
An extraordinary party which requires flawless organization around 2 hosts, Bruno and Elodie, and their president Christian Bonal.
3 thinking heads, for 4 days of celebration, to welcome more than 8 people!
One word: Bravo!
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