More baby goats in the Aravis

<Baby goats in spring at Les Confins, La Clusaz, French Alps>

<Close-up of a happy La Clusaz goat brushing her face>I recently wrote about the lovely baby goats I got to feed and pat at the refuge near Thônes called Le Ferme des Vônezins. The ones pictured here are different goats in a very accessible place, and I’m surprised that I haven’t written about this before, given the many interactions with goats here in rural France.

The goat farm at the very end of the Les Confins area of La Clusaz is open all year ’round. In winter, the goats are kept in a big shed with barn doors that are only closed at night and during the coldest weather. Most days, you can stand by the barn doors and the goats will come to the barrier for a pat. The adult goat pictured in the photo was attracted to the brush on her side of the barrier, and she enjoyed scratching for about five minutes while we patted her and watched the antics of the others. They’re entertaining to watch and the farm is one of my favourite places in winter in La Clusaz.

In spring, summer and autumn, the goats graze in the fields higher above the farm. You can walk through the fields with them. Most of them are shy without the security of the barn, but if you’re calm enough, one or two might come over to say hello. Best of all, those green collars tell you the goat’s name.

At the start of spring, when there’s still too much snow on the grass, the goats start producing baby goats. The newborns have a special pen where they can play together. The pen is accessible to visitors who can experience the feeling of a baby goat sucking their finger, and the goats being generally adorable, as pictured in the top photo.

When visitors have had their fill of watching the goats, they can buy cheese at the shop next door. There’s a choice of ridiculously stinky cheeses that I would never attempt to eat right down to fresh goat’s cheese, covered with herbs or spices, which tastes as inoffensive as cream cheese.

Of all the touristy things available in La Clusaz, this is the most popular with my visitors  (apart from skiing and snowboarding, of course). It’s a crowd-pleaser with kids and adults alike, and in all the years I’ve lived here and taken visitors to the farm, I’ve never been bored. Now, if only I can talk the staff into setting up a goatcam…

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About

I'm a technical author, journalist and writer from Australia who has been living in Europe since 2000 and exploring the world from there. My passions are writing, snow sports and travel.

5 Comments on “More baby goats in the Aravis

  1. Quote: ‘It’s a crowd pleaser with kids and adults alike.’

    Intentional or un-intentional pun?

    I think we should be told.

  2. Aren’t goats just the cutest little things? They have such expression on their faces and always seem to be laughing at you. The bit about the brush made me chuckle. I managed to tame the wildest, most wilfull cat in the world because she’ll jump through hoops just to get me to brush her with her special kitty brush.

  3. We’re having a goat free year on our farm. I do like goats – they’re so full of life and mischief – but it gets a bit much at times! However, I kind of miss them…

  4. Boggart, hah! Well spotted. That was totally unintentional! Perhaps I should have claimed it though… 🙂

    Mandy, I need that cat. Cats are far better than goats! I’m looking forward to two new furry arrivals in the near future who I will bribe with kitty treats at every opportunity to wrap them around my little finger.

    Steph, after a month away, I could do with a goat in my front yard! Enjoy the year off: does this mean you get flowers in the garden that are not consumed?

  5. Our boys are desperate for a miniature goat in the garden. Very cute but I quite like having plants in my back yard. Feel free to send any surplus stinky cheese this way Wendy 🙂

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