As a result, from mid-September to November (depending on where you are located) farmers will herd their cows in the mountain and lead them down to the pastures until the following summer when they’ll return to the mountains. The cows are adorned in bells and intricate flower crowns. While the event began as an agricultural necessity, and remains so today, it has also become a celebration of Swiss culture. As the farmers bring the cows down, they parade through towns, often with music and crowds who gather to watch. My roommate was able to make it to Désalpes before the season ended on this side of the country.
