Besançon. A hike alongside the goats and sheep of the municipal herd

The traditional transhumance of Besançon's municipal herd is back for its 2025 edition. This year, the two-kilometer hike will take place on Sunday, May 18, ahead of World Biodiversity Day. The meeting point is at Planoise Urban Park, where 46 goats and 51 sheep will be waiting for the 11 a.m. start.

Arrival is scheduled for noon at Fort Planoise, where hikers are invited to bring a picnic. They will be welcomed with a friendly drink, followed by various activities on the theme of biodiversity and its challenges, which will enliven the afternoon from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The City and its partners will offer several stands. These include a stand for plant recognition and gardening advice, as well as information on tiger mosquito prevention. The National Forestry Office will also offer a walk through a senescence island, an area where vegetation is left to evolve freely, during which visitors will be able to discover forest biodiversity. Continuing with the theme of biodiversity, the Doubs Beekeeping Union will introduce visitors to the world of bees with an educational hive and a honey tasting.

Various associations will also be present, such as Juste Ici , whose members have designed costumes, banners and mascots to accompany the hike. The Avalfort association , for its part, will offer two guided tours of the interior of the Planoise fort at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. At the same time, the shepherds and their flock will be present all afternoon to discuss eco-grazing. It will also be an opportunity for young and old alike to pet some goats.