This sixth edition of the Rencontres du Mérinos d’Arles, featuring the iconic Merino breed of the great transhumance, is organized as part of the La Routo route (www.larouto),
which connects Arles to the Stura Valley in the Italian Piedmont, offering visitors the chance to discover the many facets of pastoral and transhumant livestock farming.
On the program:
Saturday, November 21
CHAPELLE DU MÉJAN
> Starting at 4:30 p.m.
. Presentation of fleeces and wool products (Arles Merino, Mourérous, cashmere, camel, yak, etc.)
. Book signing
> 5:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Roundtable Discussion – A Journey to the Heart of the Mongolian Steppes
. A journey by herders from Provence and the Southern Alps to meet Mongolian herders – ESTIVALP and the French Association for Pastoralism
. Transhumance 360° – An Immersive World Tour – CIRAD
. Goat Farming and Sustainable Cashmere Production in Mongolia, Ian Whiteford (Sustainable Fibre Alliance) and Michael Dal Grande (Dal Grande Naturfasern)
> 7:00 PM
La Routo Cocktail Reception
Hosted by La Chèvrerie de la Coraline (Mouriès)
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Sunday, November 22
– TRANSHUMANCE THROUGH THE STREETS OF ARLES
WITH NEARLY 1,500 EWES
STARTING AT 11:00 AM, BOULEVARD DES LICES
Organized by the Arles Merino Breeders’ Association
——–
WOOL VILLAGE
FROM 10:00 AM TO 5:00 PM, PLACE DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE
Exhibitors:
Mérilainos, Envie de laine, La Sarriette, Chandam, La Routo, Collectif pour la Promotion du Mérinos d’Arles.
Presentation of the project to create a Maison du Mérinos d’Arles in Arles
Activities:
> Sheep-shearing demonstration (Ciancanelli Company)
> Donkey rides (Tis’Ânes Association)
> Animal exhibits in the Archbishop’s Palace courtyard
> Exhibitions: “Transhumance from Provence to the Alps”
> 2:30 p.m. – Fashion show tracing the evolution of woolen clothing
> 3:30 p.m. – Lecture on sustainable cashmere production
——–
FARMERS’ MARKET
FROM 10:00 AM TO 5:00 PM, PLACE DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE
Organized by the Bouches-du-Rhône Chamber of Agriculture
On-site dining (food trucks)
…………………………………..
EXPLORE FURTHER
L’HAUTURE NEIGHBORHOOD
> Friday, November 20, 6:30 p.m., La Major Church
Memories of Early Childhood, by Yvon Arnaudo
Presented by the Hauture Neighborhood Committee
Historic shepherds’ neighborhood, free admission
> Invitation to visit the MUSEON ARLATEN
Sunday, November 22 (contact us: 04 90 17 06 68)
