Herd of sheep on the causse.Ewes are the emblematic livestock of the Grands Causses region in Lozère. Accustomed to the limestone soil, poor in water and therefore in grassland, they have the physique needed to live in this very special environment.
For thousands of years, shepherds have kept flocks on the Causse de Sauveterre and Causse Méjean. Their traces are still scattered along the paths: jasses, cazelles, clapas… ThisUNESCO-listed heritage has forged the identity of the Grands Causses.
Benoit Colomb Pact Gdt Crtloccitanie 0037365 Bd
Ewes out on the Causse Méjean.
Herd of sheep on the Causse de Sauveterre with the shepherd and his dog
Ewe breeder, causse méjean.DID YOU KNOW?
Lacaune ewes are the most common breed on the Grands Causses.
Its name comes from a canton located in the middle of the Monts de Lacaune, in the Tarn department.
This breed of sheep with mixed aptitudes is bred for its milk, meat and wool.
Today, many flocks still inhabit the plateaux. Farmers make their own ewe’s milk cheese, or supply the milk to various dairies in the area. Massegros is home to the world’s largest sheep’s milk processing plant. Its products include Feta Salakis and Lou Peyrac. Part of the dairy processes organic milk to make Lou Passou Bio cheese.
Agropastoral techniques may have evolved, but today’s farming methods continue to leave their mark on the landscape. For example, ewes graze in the fertile devèzes and dolines, while wooded areas are preserved so that the sheep don’t “heat up” during the hottest hours of the day.
Lacaune ewes grazing on the Causse Méjean. DID YOU KNOW?
Ewes are said to “stall” when a flock of ewes stands still without eating, which is not good for milk production.
On the Causse de Sauveterre you can buy sheep’s cheese directly from the farm:
