Exhibitions & Visits

Permanent Exhibition

The geographic location of the valley: original 18^th century maps and a 3D model.
Life and farming traditions of the local inhabitants from season to season:

• In Summer, some of the village folk stay in the village to harvest the hay for the coming winter, while others go up to the summer pastures in the mountains with the animals and make the cheese.
• When Autumn comes, they come back down into the valley and for the long winter season, the animals stay in the stables and are fed the hay that was harvested during the summer.
• This seasonal move to and from the summer pastures in the mountains has special terms in French - i.e. "emmontagnée" (for going up to summer pastures) and "démontagnée" (for coming back down to the valley from the summer pastures).

 
Cow bells exhibition
 
The reconstitution of an old traditional chalet, showing life as it was many years ago. Also showing the various utensils used for cheese and butter making, the traditional clothes of the time…  
 
From yesterday to today, the Abondance cheese making, that has been conferred the “Appélation d’Origine Controlée” label since 1990, is explained starting from the beginning of the process right up to the maturing stage.  
 
The maturing stage, the last stage in the cheese making process: you’ll be able to see the slow maturation of the great big round Abondance cheeses through a window in the cheese cellar and you’ll of course be able to smell the distinct smell of the Abondance cheese.

Magnificent photos of the landscape, farms and local flora. While walking in the mountains, one can discover a whole world of colours and perfumes that change with the seasons thanks to the richness of the flora in the valley.

And to make your visit even more pleasurable, you’ll be given a brochure when you arrive to help you understand the local food and farming activities.

A film: a very real account of the farmers’ daily life and working conditions in the Abondance valley. The farmers not only explain the enjoyable aspects of their work, but also the challenges of  farming in the mountains.

Temporary Exhibition

« Summer pastures – a tradition of the future This original and interactive exhibition will take you on an adventure through the summer pastures where the farmers contribute to the protection of the environment and landscape, thanks to their work and their animals (cows, sheep and goats).

Tariffs

• Adults: 3.00 €
• Children (10 to 15 yrs): 2.50 €