In the Aosta Valley, many sanctuaries and hermitages are reached by pilgrimages and processions

In the Aosta Valley, there are many sanctuaries, churches and hermitages scattered in the villages and in the woodland areas. These signs of faith, which sometimes are also monuments of great artistic value, are reached by pilgrimages and processions.

The mountain sanctuary procession extending from Fontainemore to the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna of Oropa, in the Biella region, dates back to the XVI century. This procession, which is celebrated once every five years at the end of July, begins in the middle of the night and lasts a good 12 hours.

Although less demanding, other processions to the sanctuaries of the Aosta Valley are also atmospheric. On 5th August, the "Madonna della neve" (Madonna of the snow") is celebrated in the sanctuaries of Miserin (Champorcher), of Cunéy (Saint-Barthélémy), of Verdonaz (Valpelline), of San Grato (Valgrisenche) and of Fonteinte (Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses).

On 16th August is held the uphill procession from Gignod and Excenex to the cross of Punta Chaligne; it originally took place to invoke San Rocco's protection against the plague.