The Alpine cattle drive and the "Combat des Reines", Sat June 4

This Saturday the 4th June, at the Col de Forclaz, the famous "Battle of The Queens" will be held, where the imposing brown Valais cows will "fight" each other, to establish the hierarchy between them during the cattle drive up to the high alpine pastures. This mountain tradition will take place at the Col (1,500 meters altitude) at 10 o'clock, then there will be a meal at the "La Buvette du Col de La Forclaz", just at the Col. All are welcome to join in, for a guaranteed party in a great atmosphere! At the "La Buvette du Col de La Forclaz" this weekend, and all summer, you can buy cheese from the pastures, other home-made cheeses, jams and sausages, and enjoy a selection of Valaisanne produce washed down with a glass (or more) of Valais wine. You'll also find a selection of local DVDs available, such as "The Alpage of Forclaz (Giétaz)", "The manufacture of Alpine cheese", "The Désalpes de La Fouly" and last but not least "Martigny", designed and produced by Florence Kielholz (www.alpeseenphotos.com). The pastures of the Col de la Forclaz have links with the La Giétaz pastures (1884m). Every summer, the cattle wander around the slopes of the mountain in search of food, an alpine ritual that has continued for centuries. In the early 1950's, construction of the roads brought the mountain-side closer to civilisation. Without this access, the far mountain pastures were out of reach of the flocks of tourists, and no-one could see this ancient way of life. The Giétaz is, if you wish, at the crossroads between two countries and two different eras. It bridges the gap between two similar cultures and their age-old knowledge. Florence Kielholz (http://www.alpesenphotos.com)