In Switzerland, there are many traditional festivals, and one of the interesting autumn activities is called “désalpe.” Before winter arrives, the cows from the alpine pastures need to be moved down to the lowlands. During this process, the cows are beautifully adorned with fresh flowers on their heads, and they majestically descend from the mountain pastures to the plains.

We attended the “désalpe” in Saint-Cergue, located in the French-speaking region. From Nyon train station, we took a shuttle bus, which took about 20 to 25 minutes to reach the destination. On the day of the event, the place was bustling with tourists from all over. After a while, we heard shouting voices, and soon the grand procession of cows appeared. Villagers dressed in traditional costumes, holding wooden sticks, guided the cows, which had flowers on their heads and cowbells ringing as they moved, looking as elegant as beauty queens.

Today, this event has become a festival. Villages across Switzerland often set up various stalls and hold traditional performances, making the festival even more lively and fun. We also tried the traditional absinthe, which was very strong but surprisingly smooth. Before we left, we saw some adorable Saint Bernard dogs pulling carts through the village. It was truly a vibrant and delightful event.