Every second Saturday in October, the historic town of Annecy hosts the Return of the Alpages, a traditional event that took place on Saturday, October 10. This celebration, organized since 1973 by the Annecy Traditions association with the support of the city, marks the end of the summer grazing season, known as "désalpe," when herds return to lower elevations. The event is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The 2026 edition will coincide with the United Nations' declared "International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists," highlighting the importance of pastoral farming and its cultural significance. The Return of the Alpages brings together elements of folklore, craftsmanship, and rural tradition. Throughout the day, the old town is filled with music, including performances by accordionists, yodelers, and folk groups, while musicians roam the streets. The Young Farmers of Haute-Savoie set up a village at the Place de la Libération, and the GAEC Tradimontagne will demonstrate traditional sheep shearing on the street of the Lake. Traditional crafts and artisanal trades are also showcased in the streets, offering a glimpse into the region’s heritage. At 2:30 p.m., a procession begins in the Balmettes district, featuring sheep, donkeys, miniature horses, geese, Saint Bernards, and Bernese mountain dogs, along with decorated carriages, Alpine bell ringers, and a dozen folk music groups. This spectacle highlights the deep connection between the region’s pastoral culture and its natural environment. Beyond the festivities, mountain farming also plays a significant economic role in the area. The Savoie region produces only 1.5% of France's milk but is responsible for 15% of the country's AOP and IGP cheeses, with about 32,000 tons produced annually. This production is supported by more than 2,000 milk producers, a dozen collective cheese dairies, and over 340 farm or alpine workshops. Among these, reblochon, a cheese born in the Thônes valley, is a flagship product of Haute-Savoie. In 2025, 128.9 million liters of milk were collected for the AOP, of which 99.5 million were transformed into reblochon, resulting in 14,728 tons sold. The sector relies on 435 dairy farms, including 114 producing farm reblochon, and involves 46,000 cows. However, the year was marked by a health challenge: contagious nodular dermatitis affected 78 outbreaks in Savoie and Haute-Savoie, causing local production losses. Despite this, the region continues to be home to several protected cheeses, including seven European-level designations. These include five AOP cheeses—such as reblochon, abondance, chevrotin, and tome des Bauges—and three IGP cheeses, such as tomme and raclette de Savoie, which help anchor the region’s value and identity.