The Retour des Alpages, also known as the descent from the mountain pastures, takes place in Annecy on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Since 1973, the Annecy Traditions association has organized the parade of herds through the Old Town to celebrate the end of the summer grazing season. The main animal parade begins at 2:30 p.m.
What is the Retour des Alpages?
Also called the "démontagnée," this event marks the end of summer, when herds that spent the season in the high pastures return to the valley. In Annecy, this homecoming has become a full-blown festival: for one day, the Old Town recaptures the atmosphere of yesteryear, filled with cowbells, alphorns, and brass bands.
The event has been organized since 1973 by the Annecy Traditions association, with the support of the City of Annecy. The 2026 edition holds special significance, as the UN has declared this the "International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists."
Retour des Alpages 2026: Date, times, and program
Join us on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the streets of the Old Town. Throughout the day, you will find demonstrations of traditional crafts, stalls featuring local produce and valley handicrafts, as well as folk groups and musical performances. The highlight remains the grand parade, featuring around thirty groups and animals, scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Admission is free. Only the official event poster, sold at the Annecy Traditions stands, is for sale.
Parking and getting around that day
The pedestrian streets of the Old Town host the parade, so traffic will be disrupted throughout the day. If you are coming from outside Annecy, it is best to arrive early and use the parking lots located outside the city center. Specific street closure times will be published by the City of Annecy as the event approaches.
Where to eat on the day of the descent?
Chez Ingalls is located on Rue Vaugelas, just a stone's throw from the Old Town, the shops, and a parking lot. This is a real advantage on a day like this, as the festivities are right nearby.
Once you pass through the gate, the private courtyard instantly shuts out the noise of the street. It is here, tucked away from view, that the terrace is located, open for lunch and dinner in every season. If the October weather doesn't cooperate, the restaurant's cozy, wood-paneled interior is ready to welcome you.
The restaurant serves food continuously from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day. There is no need to aim for exactly noon: you can have lunch before the parade, right after, or in the mid-afternoon—whatever time works best for you.
A tip : The Retour des Alpages draws crowds throughout the city center, and tables fill up quickly that day. Reservations are highly recommended, especially for the lunch service.
.webp)
.png)