Ascent to the mountain pastures - Chez Pépé Nicolas

Every year, on the initiative of the mountain pasture farm Chez Pépé Nicolas, the valley plays host to the ancestral ritual of the "emmontagnée". A day of conviviality and sharing around this traditional ceremony to celebrate the arrival of summer.

From Saint-Martin, the herds leave the village to reach the mountain pastures 6 km further up between Les Menuires and Val Thorens.

The shepherds pass through several villages in the Vallée des Belleville: Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Saint-Marcel, Praranger and le Bettaix.

A unique day out, fun and accessible to all.

The programme

- 8.15am: meet in front of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville town hall to wait for the animals in a gentle mountain atmosphere (with the option of a coffee at L'Art B).
- 8.30am/8.45am: departure of the herd. You'll have 6 km to cover at the gentle pace of the cows or the faster pace of the goats. The herd will pass through the villages of St Marcel, Praranger, Bettaix (where a small refreshment area will be waiting for you), then the bottom of Les Menuires at Plan de l'eau to arrive at the Chez Pépé Nicolas mountain pasture where a Savoyard meal will be served.
Menu at 26€, 13€ for children: Tomate d'antan & Sérac de l'alpage façon Mozzarella, Diot & crozet risotto, blueberry tart.
- 3pm: goat milking
- 4pm: Alpine games for all ages
- 6pm: Alpine evening: DJ, BBQ, outdoor bar and good spirits
Menu at €30: onion soup, BBQ Ribs, confit vegetables and mashed potatoes, Savoy biscuit and pears.
- 11pm: end of the evening

Don't forget to book the restaurant for lunch and dinner!