Désalpe in Semsales

The Désalpe is the best-known of all traditional mountain festivities. After more than four months of grazing in alpine pastures, cows make their way down to the plain. The Désalpe in Semsales always takes place on the Saturday preceding the first Sunday of October. It's a living and authentic custom, steeped in tradition and rooted in the life of the entire region. On this occasion, the cows will wear thundering bells around their necks, and their heads will be adorned with brightly colored flowers. During this autumn period, farmers, craftsmen, villagers, town-dwellers, and visitors from Switzerland and beyond come together to share and participate in the festival of mountains and armaillis. The entire village comes alive on this day to welcome them, with alpine horns, bell ringers, a craft market, and local food stands animating the main street of the village.