La Belle Dimanche: the mountain pastures festival (47th edition)

Due to the health situation of cattle in relation to contagious nodular dermatitis in the department and in order to ensure the safety of cattle, this edition will take place without the traditional presence of Abondance cows.

Despite this exceptional absence, no other changes are expected: the open-air mass, the exhibitors, the entertainment and the music groups will all be present to make this day a moment of conviviality between residents, farmers, craftsmen and holidaymakers.


The Belle Dimanche is one of the oldest traditionnal Savoyard festival.

▶ 10 a.m.:
- Outdoor mass celebrated by Monsignor Philippe Marsset, Auxiliary Bishop of Paris, and led by Les Vioul’ du Chablais and the Châtel choir.
- Blessing of Belle Dimanche bread from Les Fournils du Lac bakery

▶ 11 a.m.:
- Speech by Nicolas Rubin, Mayor of Châtel and 1st Vice-President of the Haute-Savoie Departmental Council

▶ 11:30 a.m.:
- Aperitif offered by CIC Lyonnaise de Banque.

Throughout the day you will be able to wander among the many stands where craftsmen of all kinds will be exhibiting their creations: paintings and woodcarvings, bell founders, natural and artisanal products, decorative objects, pottery, jewellery....

The various associations in Châtel also offer games and activities:

- Production and sale of Abondance cheese,
- Educational beehive,
- Fantasticable,
- Fishing with the Denderes fish farm,
- Biathlon activity (laser shooting) with the ESF in Châtel,
- Woodworking activity with a chainsaw by Dominique Lombardi
- Balance game with Ecole Ski Academy,
- Carpentry workshop,
- Workshop for making clocks on slate.

There are also several stalls where you can buy food and drinks...

The musical atmosphere is provided by several music groups that perform at different points of the festival throughout the day: folk groups, alphorns, brass bands:
- Cocktail des Montagnes
- Funky Brass
- Écho Alpin
- Les Mercenaires du Val d’Illiez
- Bandastico
- Les Vioul' du Chablais
- Les Bedzuts


A souvenir shop featuring items related to the festival awaits you at the Information Desk.

Access to the festival is by foot, with the Pierre Longue chairlift or shuttle bus (€1/pers for the bus or the chairlift). The site is not accessible by car. Throughout the day, shuttle buses will run from the village to Pré la Joux, then from Pré la Joux to Plaine Dranse from 8.30am to 7.30pm. A third shuttle bus runs between Plaine Dranse and Bassachaux.
The Pré la Joux chairlift will be open exceptionally on this day, but accessible only to mountain bikers.

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