Fête de la Transhumance de Riez

Riez’s Fête de la Transhumance brings pastoral culture into the heart of Haute-Provence. The event celebrates the seasonal movement of sheep and the know-how of shepherds, but its importance goes beyond a picturesque procession. Transhumance shaped landscapes, paths, vocabulary, food habits and village calendars throughout the Verdon and the southern Alps. In Riez, the celebration allows visitors to meet that heritage at street level, through animals, producers, demonstrations and local hospitality. It is a strong regional marker because it speaks of work, not nostalgia alone. The sheep passing through town carry a memory of mountain routes and rural economies that still define this part of Provence.