The Extraordinary Transhumance Party

Michel and Sebastian Bras are two of the most important chefs of south west France. Eating at the restaurant Le Suquet near Laguiole will be an experience of a life time. You will be witnessing a father and son passion for food that is all locally sourced. Up on the moors of Aubrac one is spoilt for choice with the meats and vegetables, flowers and grasses. You will be regaled with treasures you would never have dreamed of eating and in such an extraordinary setting.

The ancient tradition of blessing the cows on their way up the hill for summer grazing on the high pastures goes back centuries. This for me is the joy of this week to be able to mix such an ancient tradition with the modernism of Michelin star cooking. The Transhumance as it is called takes place on the Sunday before we start walking the moors. The cows are bedecked with flowers.

And at this time of year we get some amazing quantity of flowers. Tiny deep blue gentians and purple and white orchids are in abundance after the snow has melted. White narcissi can carpet certain pastures. A delight to see in this extraordinary landscape.

And more flowers! The most prominent here are the fragrant orchids.