Descente des Alpages is every year on the second Saturday of October, it is a traditional celebration to welcome back the animals in Annecy (after spending the summer months in the mountains).
The old town is busy with défilé of animals (cows, horses with their bells, sheeps, goose, St Bernard dogs, goats, donkeys….).
Also you will find local craft, local food (fresh apple juice, cheese…), folkloric groups and orchestras.
It is also a good way to discover the old local jobs and way of life.
Enjoy the photos taken by a friend Cédric in 2016 (Merci!)
Then you have a défilé at 14h30 going around the Old Town.
La Descente des alpages is very busy as usually you will have 100 000 persons coming in town, so you might have to park a bit further etc so come here earlier
I was there this year (2018) with my favourite American Monchus friends, and we started watching the défilé in the Old town, the atmosphere was wonderful but too crowded and we could not see that much so we moved to rue de la gare where we could see properly and peacefully.
If you can, do not drive to the Old town as it will be very difficult to park, go there walking or park outside town and get a bus to the center. Or call me for a drop off https://www.taxi-massingy.com/
Here a few photos of the défilé!
https://www.lac-annecy.com/fete-et-manifestation/1/93981-retour-des-alpages.html
