Les moutons

When I was driving back from the airport through la plaine de la Crau, a big flock of sheep blocked the road - something you would only see here in winter. As la Crau is too hot and dry in summer, the sheep are transported to summer pastures in the Alps.

Before the decline of the wool price, people here could make a living from their sheep. Nowadays there are just a few sheep farmers left. Some are successful with a special Merino breed.

Parts of la Crau are irrigated and farmed for hay, le foin de la Crau. It is the only French hay with an A.O.C. label and is said to be exported to the U.K. as a feed for racehorses.