For centuries, the shepherds of the Ossau Valley in the Pyrenees have been driving their sheep to high pastures from April onwards. There they spend the summer with their animals in quiet solitude, milking and making cheese until they return to the valley in mid-September.
Then the annual cheese fair takes place in Laruns.

With this event the organizers want to preserve the pastoral life, the work of the shepherds, their culture and language. Visitors - more than 12,000 in 2016 - can attend a shepherd's mass, listen to traditional folk music or watch sheep shearing.

There are countless stands where you can try different kinds of sheep's cheese - above all the famous Ossau-Iraty.
And the best sheep's cheese will be chosen by the public in a competition. The makers also invite another cheese region to present their products.

The programme also includes demonstrations of cheese production, a market with regional products, street theatre and a circus. There are also activities for children every year.