Carnivals

Every year, before the celebrations begin, the Carnival characters are presented in the village square. The story of the Lady of the Castle - “friend of the people” - is re-enacted every year by the people of Verrès, still grateful for her lovely gesture, which was most unusual for the time.

The Carnevale di Montagna (Mountain Carnival), which is usually celebrated on the first Sunday after Epiphany, involves a colourful procession and array of Carnival traditions. You can see a number of ritual Carnival characters (the most famous belonging to Coumba Freide) as well as all the historic Carnival figures, who act out events and stories from Aosta Valley past like those concerning Verrès, Pont-Saint Martin, Nus and Quart.

According to tradition, this carnival event was established in commemoration of the march through the Great St. Bernard Pass by Napoleon and his troops in May 1800.