Jeanne, une adolescente à la tête d'une transhumance
In France, every year at the beginning of summer, the Barétous valley welcomes shepherds and shepherdesses and their herds in the high pastures. For the Bergez family, the seasonal migration is family history, where women are in the majority. Laetitia took over the breeding from her father eight years ago. Her niece, 16-year-old Jeanne, is already preparing to become a breeder. Once the herd starts off, the more experienced cows take the lead. “They’re old and know the way,” explains Jeanne, in her first year of agricultural school. Her grandfather doesn’t hide his pride in seeing her continue the family business. Her best friend, Maïté, came to accompany her. Along the way, friends of Jeanne also came by scooter to watch them go by. “Some of the group made fun of me – I would have liked to see them walk 25 kilometers,” says Jeanne’s best friend, smiling. For two days, they’ll accompany 18 cows from their farm located in Aramits to the Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin.
