Heritage: Doues

The Coumba Frèide is a narrow and deep valley connecting the city of Aosta to the Great Saint-Bernard pass. Together with the Valpelline, it forms the Comunità Montana Grand Combin, which includes 11 municipalities. Ten of these—Allein, Bionaz, Doues, Etroubles, Gignod, Ollomont, Roisan, Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses, Saint-Oyen, and Valpelline—organize annual carnivals featuring masks and characters that are nearly identical across the towns.

The origins of this tradition are lost in time, but the first historical mention of these masks in Aosta dates back to 1467. There are two main interpretations of the Coumba Frèide carnival’s roots. The first, pseudo-historical, ties the event to Napoleon’s passage through Great Saint-Bernard pass in May 1800, suggesting that the costumes are allegorical representations of soldiers’ uniforms. The second, more folkloric, claims the carnival began with the wedding of two elderly villagers. The guests, embarrassed to attend in their Sunday best, chose to dress in unusual garments instead. However, it is believed that the carnival is rooted in ancient springtime exorcisms meant to drive away evil spirits. This is supported by the presence of similar characters and symbols across the Alpine region, such as:

• The bear: representing the changing seasons and forecasting an early spring if it ends hibernation early.
• Mules' tails: symbolizing winds, used to dispel harmful air currents and invite favorable ones.
• Mirrors on costumes: believed to ward off evil spirits.
• The color red: signifying strength and vitality, also thought to exorcise misfortune and malevolent influences.

The carnival of the Great St. Bernard is especially noteworthy for combining two emblematic carnival figures: the arboreal man (represented by floral elements on hats) and the faun-like man (represented by the bear). All costumes are hand-stitched.

The carnival begins on the day after Epiphany and ends on Shrove Tuesday. The characters remain consistent every year, and their order in the parade is strictly maintained. The procession is led by a Flag Bearer or Guide, identified by glasses and a mustache, who directs the parade with a small trumpet. Following him is the musical group (two or three musicians playing the accordion and/or saxophone) and the Devil, wearing a short red cape and carrying a pitchfork to trip passersby.

Next come pairs of Damsels and Harlequins, followed by the Blacks (symbolizing long winter nights) and the Whites (heralding sunny spring days). Masked characters dressed in red carry tails to tickle the crowd. At the end of the parade are the “Toc” and “Tocca” (the two village simpletons). The “Toc” interacts playfully with onlookers, while the “Tocca” jealously reprimands him. They are trailed by the Bear and the Trainer. The bear, symbolizing fertility, chases women and children, tossing adults into the snow.

To learn more about the upcoming carnival program in Valpelline and the Grand-Saint-Bernard Valley municipalities, consult the local tourism database under the "Events" section.

Located in the village of La Crétaz, just before the centre of the village, it was once the residence of the lords of La Crête.
The most interesting part is the circular tower, which is clearly visible from the internal courtyard of the ancient building.

The parish of Doues existed as early as 1176, as a result of a Papal Bull by Alexander III. It was firstly joined with that of Allein and it is not known when they separated. The first church in Doues, dedicated to St. Peter, is located in the village of La Cerise. Then, perhaps between 1300 and 1400, the church moved to the town centre, probably because a landslide was threatening the building. Besides St.Peter, St. Biagio was added as a patron saint, up to 1550. The current church was built in 1790 and was dedicated to the latter saint. The church includes a pre-existing chapel which was built by the Lords of La Crête, where one can find their tomb.

There are another five chapels in the town. The oldest is that of Châtelair, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, which dates back to the XV century; it was rebuilt in 1806 at an altitude of 1,430 metres on hilltop that dominates the entire town.

The Alpine Soldiers group of Doues together with the municipality and the Aosta Valley Regional Council, wanted to set up a permanent exhibition on the Alpine Soldiers, and beyond.

A treasure chest of memories with the goal, over the time, to become a learning place for new generations so that they remember their own history and do not forget the past.
the Alpine Soldiers have always been loved by the population and represent a cornerstone for our Nation and especially for mountain people.

The history of the Alpine army will be illustrated in this exhibition gathering documents, period photographs, Alpine hats (with specimens starting from the origin of the Alpine corps) and uniforms dating back to the Great War and the Second World War.
We will also find many objects that accompanied our soldiers in their efforts and testify to the difficulties they suffered during conflicts and their daily life.

A journey through history:
Solidarity
Volunteering
Loyalty to the mountains