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Bay of Somme: moving sheep to sea
Traditional transhumance takes place in the Bay of Somme. Animals are moved to pastures, which gives the meat a special taste.
(France 2)
Traditional transhumance takes place in the Bay of Somme. Animals are moved to pastures, which gives the meat a special taste.
Transhumance in the Bay of Somme is a tradition that dates back to the 15th century. Every year the same scenario occurs, 2000 black or white headed sheep return to the salt meadows. But before you get to the pastures, the road is long and full of obstacles. Shepherds lead the sheep over five kilometers accompanied by friends and neighbors. It takes people to maintain that huge herd.
“He knows there is beautiful grass to eat”
Lambs leaving the pen for the first time are a bit lost. Locks, roads and villages will have to be crossed in front of the public. Every spring, the sheep return to the sea Denise Dupays’ family has been a breeder for five generations. “He knows there is beautiful grass to eat”, the operator entrusts himself. After a few hours, the sheep reach vast meadows flooded by the sea during high tide. There they taste the salty herbs that give the lambs this special taste.
