Some history ...
Longing to know more ?
The "Armailli" is the name given in Switzerland (Fribour canton) to the herds-man. In spring, he drives his herd to the meadows ; this is the "montée à l'alpage" (the mountain pasture climbing). During 4 months, the "Armaillis" make gruyere cheese : the milk is directly transformed to cheese in the chalet by using a caldron set on a wooden fire ; the round cheeses are the taken down the valley to be repened.
In autumn, they desert the pasture with their herds to leave place for the winter snow.
Before sunrise, the herds-men decorate their cattle with flowers and bells and drive them slowly down the mountain. This is the "désalpe".
This moving from mountain pastures is an annual opportunity to meet. You will be delighted at the sight of those herds in fine array.
The Alpine Horn enabled the Armaillis to communicate with each other from one valley to another.
(To listen click on the picture below - beware of the file size: 695Ko)
The "Pas de la Latte"
The pas is the name given to a very narrow and difficult passage taken by hikers to go from one point to another.
At the bottom of the valley of Morzine, on the "Terres Maudites" an impressive rocky mountain composed of "lapiers", the Pas de la Latte is the obligatory passage to join the "Dents Blanches", a wonderful landscape and a paradise for chamois and marmots.
© Clic On Line - 2002