Transhumance festival at the Col de Bonnecombe: for the Gélys, a highlight with family and friends

Vincent Gély n’a loupé qu’une fête de la transhumance, le jour de sa communion. Midi Libre – Célian Guignard

This Sunday, May 26, 2024, around fifty couples – mother and calf – will travel the 8km that separate the Gély family farm and the venue of the festivities. They will be escorted by nearly a hundred people.

They are regulars among regulars. Since its creation in 1993, the Gély family, based at Fabrigette, below the village of Hermaux, has only missed the first transhumance festival in Bonnecombe. "It’was for our communions with Noëlle, my sister, and me", remembers Vincent, associated with his father Jean-Louis within the Gaec de l’Ajuel. "You were 11 years old and your sister was 10 years old",slips Odile, his mother, to him.

This year, for the 32nd edition of this unmissable event, which takes place this Sunday, May 26, 2024, the Gélys are expecting nearly a hundred people to accompany them. "We participate because we have the pleasure of sharing this moment with our friends and family, insists Vincent. Breeding is sometimes criticized. It’s also a way of defending it."

A shared breakfast

Eight kilometers separate the family farm and the Bonnecombe pass. In all, around fifty couples – mother and calf – will go from 700 m to 1,400 m altitude, together, without ever being separated. They will be the last to reach the venue of the festivities, at 3 p.m. The Gélys and their loved ones will have a bite to eat along the way. "We must prepare all the stewardship in advance, specifies Odile. With the others, we call each other to find out who is preparing what, to agree. The whole family will be present."

On the big day, the breeders will jump out of bed at dawn. "We have a herd further down, specifies Vincent. We will pick it up around 6 am. At 8 a.m., we will gather all the animals. We will give them hay again. We will all have breakfast together and we will prepare the animals." "We won't take the highest decorations, specifies Odile, because we go through a lot of woods. < em>They could hang in the trees. We will then stop before the Col de Bonnecombe to put the most fragile items." Ornaments that Odile carefully prepared with some of her loved ones.

Odile Gély created the ornaments for the aubracs with her loved ones. Midi Libre – Célian Guignard

Once at the Bonnecombe pass, the Gély aubracs will be parked so that visitors can enjoy them. “The animals will be able to breathe and so will we”, smile Odile and Vincent. Then, before reaching the summer pasture plots, located 2 km further on, just behind the Lacs relay, the traditional group photo will immortalize this beautiful day.

This weekend at the Col de Bonnecombe

Saturday. 2 pm 30 : hiking, hiking From the pass, approximately 9 km towards the Mailhebiau signal. Registration at 06 79 80 12 26 (limited places). 3 h : narrated walk.& nbsp;Registrations from 06.79.80.12.26 (limited places). 19.30 p.m.: ap. ro-concert to conclude.  Refreshment bar and catering on site.

Sunday. 10 am : lively mass under marquee. Around 10  30 : arrival and blessing of the first flock. From 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.: arrival of the other herds. All day long: podium entertainment, Occitan songs, market of regional products and boutique Aubrac south Lozère, folk dances with the Quatretto Chiracoise and the group Les Sonneurs des Hautes Chaumes. Tombola : draw &at ;nbsp;€ for children up to 10 years old): cold meats, aligot, beef skewer, cheese, dessert. Meal tickets are sold on site from 9 a.m. in the morning. Fast food: sandwiches, chipolatas, fries…

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