October 12th 2020
We tested for you the visit to the Ferme de Lorette in winter, in Glapigny. Between local know-how and pastoralism, discover how our farmers work in winter, coming down from the mountain pastures. On your boots, get set, visit!
Lorette Farm
Practical Info
Lorette Farm is open for self-guided visits from 16 pm to 18 pm daily. Visits are free and open to the public. You can visit the calf area, where you can even pet them. You will also have access to the barn to see the cows.
La Ferme de Lorette is located on the Glapigny road, about ten minutes by car from Thônes. First go up to the Glapigny school, then continue up on the left. All you have to do is follow the signs that will lead you to the farm.
Our visit to the farm
We started by going to see the calves, located at the back of the barn, in separate boxes. You have to go through the barn where the hay is stored and go through the small door at the back. You can pet the calves and if they are not too fearful, they will even lick your fingers!
| Did you know? They are separated from their mothers at birth for health reasons. Since the calves are still too fragile, they are exposed to diseases and can be weakened if they suckle a cow that is not their mother. Diarrhea is the leading cause of death for these young calves. |
After enjoying the calves, we went to the barn. At the entrance, a large machine intrigues us. It turns out to be an automatic pellet dispenser for cows. Each cow is equipped with a chip collar that records its personal information. Depending on the amount of milk it produces, the cow is entitled to a certain amount of pellets per day. It will feed as many times as it wants during the day (up to 10 times a day) and the machine automatically calculates the distribution and adapts the doses to be distributed.
| Did you know? Farms are modernizing… La Ferme de Lorette has invested in a slurry vacuum robot, which simplifies the work of farmers. For a herd of 70 cows like that of La Ferme de Lorette, this is approximately 500 m3 of excrement per year! |
On the left there is a corridor that runs along the wall. If you go to the end of this corridor, you can see the cow milking area.
| The little extra: Come during milking hours to see part of the milking of the 70 dairy cows at Ferme de Lorette (milking starts at 15:30 p.m., which lasts around 1 hours). |
For health reasons, the Ferme de Lorette does not allow visitors to see the cheese being made or to visit the maturing cellar.
In good weather, you can admire the landscape and the magnificent view overlooking the Thônes valley, the Tournette and Mont Lachat, right in front of you.
This farm getaway will allow young and old alike to spend a great afternoon in the company of the animals. Enjoy your visit to the farm!
The GAEC of Vent des Cimes
Practical Info
A guided tour of the GAEC du Vent des Cimes farm is offered every Thursday from 14pm to 15:30pm.
"Discovering our life as an alpine farmer" is more than a guided tour, it is a meeting and an opportunity to exchange with the farmer. The tour covers several different topics, from life in the alpine pastures to the characteristics and aromas of the cheeses produced.
The visit is chargeable, €7 for adults, €5 for children (4-12 years) & free for under 4s.
The visit includes: a guided tour with explanations and a tasting at the time when the herd returns to the chalet for milking, which will allow you to savor the different cheeses produced on the farm.
In summer, the GAEC du Vent des Cimes takes up its alpine quarters at the foot of Mont Charvin, at the Aulp de Marlens. On the way down from the alpine pastures and for the entire winter period, the herd and farmers join the farm located at Bois Berger in the commune of Serraval.
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