{"id":20607,"date":"2026-09-14T10:56:28","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T08:56:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tezdev.cilfa.fr\/return-from-the-alpine-pastures-cilfa-students-went-there\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T07:59:31","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T05:59:31","slug":"return-from-the-alpine-pastures-cilfa-students-went-there","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tezdev.cilfa.fr\/en\/return-from-the-alpine-pastures-cilfa-students-went-there\/","title":{"rendered":"Return from the Alpine Pastures: CILFA Students Went There!"},"content":{"rendered":"

A tradition deeply rooted in local life<\/h4>\n

Saturday, October 13, marked the 45th edition of the \u201cRetour des Alpages\u201d festival, a major event in Annecy\u2019s calendar.<\/p>\n

For this first educational activity of the semester, a few students explored the city with their professor to learn about local traditions.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

To start, they met at a caf\u00e9 to talk about the traditional festivals in their countries. Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric then introduced them to this local festival, which attracts many visitors from the region and even from abroad. <\/p>\n

Next, the group went to the Bonlieu Cultural Center to watch a demonstration of the alphorn, an instrument found in several mountainous countries. The students then had the opportunity to observe various artisans and artists: blacksmiths (metalworkers), weavers (artisans specializing in fabric production), a singer accompanied by her musicians, a baker, a woodturner, and a producer of \u201cbidoyon\u201d (a Savoyard term for freshly pressed apple juice). The students also stopped to look at various local specialties: honey, charcuterie, and diots (Savoie sausages cooked in white wine). <\/p>\n

A Wonderful Encounter on the Way Back from the Mountain Pastures<\/h4>\n

Finally, the group had a surprising encounter with a very friendly Japanese cheesemaker who has been living in the region for several years. The CILFA students were able to practice French as a foreign language with him. He explained to us the process of making a cheese that is very well known in the region: Reblochon. <\/p>\n

In the early afternoon, the students went to the parade (which featured folk dance groups and many animals: cows, sheep, goats, donkeys, chickens, geese, and St. Bernard dogs).<\/p>\n

The Return from the Mountain Pastures is a tradition that continues in our region: in October, the animals come down from the mountains (the alpine pastures) where they have spent the warmer months. They will return to the mountains in the spring. <\/p>\n

Folklore isn’t left out: the parade takes place to the sound of traditional songs and the rhythm of dances from days gone by (in period costumes).<\/p>\n

Every year, the CILFA organizes an activity for its students at the heart of this must-see event in the city of Annecy.<\/p>\n

To watch some videos of the Return to the Alpine Pastures: http:\/\/annecytraditions.free.fr\/2\/gallery?lang=fr&onglet=19<\/a><\/p>\n