Historically and nowaday, Provençal transhumants herds are herded by a shepherd in alpine pastures. There are also many shepherds who herd the flocks in winter, in plains as in hills. In alpine pastures as in hills, the pastre herdes, guides, encourages, reinforces the grazing of the sheep so that they can find their food day after day in complex reliefs and heterogeneous vegetation.

This represents a subtle knowledge supported by a discerning understanding of the animal behaviour. The shepherd is also the flock’s nurse. He cares for lame and injured ans, in constant contact with his animals, he prevents diseases. Today, more and more are the tasks devolved to the shepherd: he becomes the protector of his herd facing the wolves, the mediator of its space facing tourists, the biodiversity manager facing the authorities of nature conservation…