In the French Alps, shepherds continue to face difficult living conditions in the small cabins they use while tending flocks in high-altitude pastures, known as alpages. These cabins, often centuries old, are typically provided by farmers who employ the shepherds, and sometimes by landowners, including local governments or private individuals. Despite recent efforts to improve conditions, many of these cabins still lack basic amenities like running water, electricity, or proper sanitation, and are not always in compliance with legal standards for temporary agricultural housing. Gaston, a shepherd in Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye and Thorame-Basse in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region, described his living quarters as minimal. His cabin, nicknamed "the cellar," is a small 25-square-meter space with only a bed, two wobbly tables, a gas stove, and a wood-burning stove. Only one of two solar-powered lights works, and daylight barely enters through a small window. There is no running water or sink, and he uses a nearby stream for washing, filtering only a small amount of water. There are no toilets, and the floor is covered with flat stones, where crumbs and mouse droppings accumulate. Gaston installed a makeshift floor near his bed, the only place he can take off his shoes. His stay lasted a month before he moved to another cabin with similar conditions. The need for better conditions has long been a concern for shepherds, many of whom have struggled with outdated and unsafe living spaces. According to the Centre d'études et de réalisations pastorales Alpes-Méditerranée (Cerpam), which supports farmers in the region, over half of the 850 pastoral cabins in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur area need renovation. Inspections by the Labor Inspection have found that two-thirds of the cabins have heating issues, and two-thirds lack proper hygiene facilities, such as showers or toilets. In Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, 5% of the cabins were deemed "decaying" in 2023. Renovating these cabins is a costly and complex process, with each project averaging 80,000 euros, and up to 120,000 euros for new cabins. European, regional, and local subsidies cover 75 to 80% of the costs, but the total needed to bring all cabins up to standard in the region is estimated at 10 million euros. The remoteness of many alpages requires helicopter transport of materials, and finding skilled workers willing to work in such isolated and harsh conditions is a challenge. Additionally, the return of wolves has increased the demands on shepherds, who now often stay with the flock permanently, requiring better living conditions to accommodate longer stays. Despite these efforts, progress remains slow, as the responsibility for renovation is often split between farmers, who may not be the landowners, and public or private entities that may not prioritize the work.