Panoramic trail Villard-Reculas> Alpe d'Huez - Hiking

Clément Marais breeds his Saanen goats high up in the mountains, in the heart of the Villard-Reculas pastureland. He offers a full range of goats’ cheese, including tomme, raclette and fresh cheese, together with lovely fresh farmhouse eggs.I took over the Villard-Reculas goat farm in 2012. Situated at an altitude of 1500 m, the farm has around 50 Saanen goats that give us the milk to make cheeses on the farm. What I like most about this life is working with the animals in this magnificent landscape, as well as the cheesemaking process itself. I am particularly motivated by farming that respects the environment. My specialities include goats raclette cheese, tomme, fromage blanc and dry fromage frais. Products : Goat’s tomme; Soft and matured goat’s cheese; Eggs during summer. Location : - At the farm - Market stalls : Fridays morning in Alpe d’Huez (in July and August) and Saturdays morning in Bourg d’Oisans.

Villard-Reculas is in a location that is both difficult and ideal for a village. It is situated in a balcony above the valley, with fine pastureland and a south-facing exposure that is ideal for agriculture, but has always been difficult to access.There are several explanations of the origin of the name. "Reculas" from the French "reculé" meaning remote, or else "recula" as the village had to "retreat" following a major avalanche. In any case, once you're there it feels great, but you still have to get there! Oisans features a number of hard-to-reach places, but since 1980, access to Villard-Reculas has been along a good, well-maintained road. The village has undergone something of a revival following several years of rural exodus and, thanks to the welcoming inhabitants, tourism is flourishing. It has kept its traditional character with no large buildings being constructed and no concrete, but instead a farm, goats, chamois and a pretty little church with an interesting history. Indeed, the church was moved to make it easier to access in winter. As is often the case in Oisans, it was originally located just outside the village next to the cemetery, but was completely rebuilt in its current position and extended on the same occasion. The expression "village resort" takes on its full meaning here. Tin roofs, old farms made of slate (thanks to the nearby quarries), old-fashioned pastureland and an atmosphere that is unique to Oisans. Here's an interesting fact - this little village owes its water supply to a system...built by the Sarrazins in the sixth century! The "Canal des Sarrazins", which solved the crucial problem of supplying water to the village, is still working today and is THE monument in Villard-Reculas. Don't expect an aqueduct as the construction is modest but efficient, and has proved to be extremely resistant over time.