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Combat des Reines with the Hérens cows

No we’re not talking about out of control hen parties here; Sunday is the “Combat des Reines” cow fight that takes place every year between farmers from Argentiere, Les Houches, Servoz and Les Contamines. And it’s not as barbaric as it may sound; it’s more cow argy-bargy really rather than full on fighting.

“Combat des Reines” (Queen of the Cows) tournaments are held during the summer months throughout the farming communities of the French & Swiss Alps, but it’s not just any old cow that can enter. All of the fighting cows come from the Hérens breed which is big, black, muscular and naturally a bit feisty!

The aim of the event is to find the Queen of the herd, so each breeder pits his best cows head to head with those from a competing herd (one at a time). The cows shove each other around a bit and lock horns every now and then until one wanders off leaving the remaining cow the winner. This continues until the two strongest cows compete in the final after which the most dominant one is crowned queen or “la Reine des Vaches”.

The event is eagerly awaited by the farming community who relish the opportunity to show off their fine Héren beasts, not to mention have an excuse to wash down a bit of charcuterie with a few glasses of wine. This weekend 35 breeders have entered a total of 115 cows and the competition will start at 10.30am. The event takes place in a specially prepared arena outside the tennis club in Les Iles. There will be free shuttle buses laid on for spectators or you can park your car at the Grands Montets car park in Argentiere and walk the 500m back down to the show ground. Entry is free and it’s quite an entertaining way to spend a few hours in the sunshine, even if just to watch the farmers getting more agitated than the cows!