Balboutet Fair

A mountain festival in the heart of the Chisone Valley

The Balboutet Fair is one of the most deeply rooted livestock exhibitions in the upper Chisone Valley. It takes place every year, on the last Sunday or fourth Saturday of August, in the tiny hamlet of Balboutet, part of the Municipality of Usseaux (Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont), nestled on a sunny terrace at an altitude of over 1,300 meters. For one day, the village streets fill with animals, farmers, artisans, and visitors in an event that blends agricultural work, tradition, and conviviality.

The livestock exhibition

The heart of the event is the livestock exhibition: Piedmontese cattle, goats, sheep, and other animals typical of extensive mountain farming, brought down from alpine pastures located between 1,300 and 2,000 meters. The animals are evaluated morphologically by experts from the Breeders' Association, with awards recognizing the hard work and care of local farmers. Surrounding the exhibition are stalls selling agricultural equipment, as well as hobbyists and artisans showcasing their creations throughout the village.

Mountain flavors and the community oven

The Balboutet Fair is also an opportunity to discover the gastronomic excellence of the valleys: alpine cheeses, tome, cured meats, and local products available for tasting and purchase. One of the most beloved attractions is the community oven, where village volunteers work tirelessly to prepare traditional bread, pizzas, and pastries, filling the streets with unmistakable aromas.

Music and conviviality

The day is punctuated by roving music that accompanies visitors among the stalls in the late morning, while in the afternoon the square transforms into a dance floor with a folk dance concert. It is an authentic atmosphere, far from mass tourism, that makes the fair a meeting point for the entire valley community and for those seeking a genuine Piedmont experience.

Tradition and Occitan identity

Usseaux is famous for being one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, known for its murals and the alpine landscape of the Occitan valleys. The Balboutet Fair has roots in a farming tradition spanning decades: born as a moment for exchange and livestock evaluation, it is today a living bastion of pastoral culture and the mountain identity of the territory.