Thones, the capital of Reblochon and Chevrotin, cannot count without its farms to maintain its reputation! A visit to one of them is an inevitable must during your stay.
It would be difficult to tell you about all the farms in the area, there are so many of them. They are part of the history and heritage of the Aravis. Come and discover this traditional activity and these fabulous cheeses with the delicious taste of the mountain pastures!
Lorette Farm
Discover an authentic alpine farm facing Mont Blanc.
Visit in summer
From June to September, the 70 dairy cows of the Ferme de Lorette graze on the flowery mountain pastures of Beauregard plateau, a Natura 2000 classified site. The farm is therefore all the more keen to enhance and preserve the natural resources at its disposal for sustainable agriculture that is somewhere between tradition and modernity. Located in the AOP (Protected Agriculture) zone, you can discover the production of the famous Reblochon Fermier but also many other cheeses such as Abondance or Tomme de Beauregard. The milk collected each day is processed directly after milking on the farm. Come and discover the profession of an alpine farmer with ancestral know-how and taste good cheeses facing Mont-Blanc.
Two accesses are possible:
- By the Beauregard cable car from the center of La Clusaz then about 10 minutes walk
- For the Croix-Fry pass. Leave the car at the pass car park and enjoy the beauty of the plateau during a short family walk of about 45 minutes following the signs. For people with reduced mobility, access is also possible via a passable path.
Two options are possible for visits: free & open, all day or guided & paying at 14:30 p.m., by reservation, from June 15 to September 1 (allow approximately 1 hour).
On Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m., from mid-June to early September, a fun visit is specially organized for children.
Visit in winter
From October to May, the herd returns to the main farm located at Glapigny on the heights of Thônes, in a completely renovated building. In fine weather, the cows go out to graze on the grass in the surrounding fields and return to the barn around 14:30-15 p.m. for daily milking.
There are no guided tours of the Lorette farm in Glapigny in winter. The farm is accessible every evening for free only from 16pm to 18pm. You can access the stable, pet the calves and watch the milking. However, there is no direct access to the milking parlor or the cheese production room.
To know more : click here.
The GAEC of Vent des Cimes
Find the cows and goats of the Wind of the Peaks at the foot of Mont Charvin.
Visit in summer
At the end of May, the two partners, their 2 cows and 70 goats “emmontagnent” at the foot of Mont Charvin to rediscover the magnificent setting of the mountains and the fresh, flowery grass of the mountain pastures. Aulp de Marlens chalet, the herds return to the stable morning and evening for the two daily milkings which will give the good Reblochon Fermier AOP but also cow's cheese, raclette as well as goat's cheese, Chevrotin AOP, tomme and crottin.
You can taste them during the tours organized on Thursdays at 14 p.m. by reservation. Allow about 1h30 for the tour which turns out to be a real encounter with two enthusiasts and their herds who tell a life story and stories of mountain pastures with the good taste of cheese!
To access the mountain pasture, you can park at the Les Sardoches car park and take a section of the path from the Tour du Val Sulens. A superb flowery hike of around 45 minutes will take you to the farm where you can also have a meal and spend the night facing the giant.
Visit in winter
In October, the herds return to the Serraval farm where goats and cows will spend the winter sheltered in a building that houses all the animals as well as the milking parlor, the cheese dairy and the hay drying area. A management that is both traditional and uses modern techniques that respect the environment, animals and people.
From mid-October to the end of May, the Bois Berger farm in Serraval welcomes visits for groups of 10 people minimum and only by reservation on Thursdays at 14 p.m.
To know more : click here.
The Reblochon Fermier Cooperative – Le Farto
Come and discover the history of Reblochon Fermier AOP and its birth in the Aravis, and in particular in Thônes, which is its capital. You will visit the maturing cellars of Reblochon Fermier and other cheeses, finishing with a visit to the sales store to take some home with you! Tasting is of course a must.
The Producers' Cooperative welcomes you for guided tours on Saturdays from April to October, for a maximum of 20 people. Booking is required through the Thônes Tourist Office at 04.50.02.00.26 (it is advisable to book at least 3 days in advance).
- From April to June & from September to October: Saturdays at 9:30am.
- July & August: Saturdays at 9:30am.
