Batailles de Reines - Avise-Vertosan Elimination
The Aosta Valley queens battle it out on the Vertosan pastures
About Batailles de Reines Vertosan
The Queens of the Aosta Valley
The Batailles de Reines are the most cherished popular tradition of the Aosta Valley: a competition featuring Aosta Valley breed cows, animals with a strong and combative temperament, naturally inclined to clash within the herd to establish hierarchy. The contests, bloodless and governed by precise rules, take place by butting horns until one of the two cows yields, declaring the winner.
The Vertosan Elimination
The Avise elimination takes place in the picturesque Comba di Vertosan, a basin at about 1,800 meters above sea level in the Municipality of Avise, in the province of Aosta. It is one of the summer eliminations of the Regional Competition: here, owners bring their queens to compete in the typical natural alpine pasture amphitheatre, in a day that combines traditional sport, peasant culture, and village festival.
How the Competition Works
The eliminations, spread across spring, summer, and autumn among the Aosta Valley municipalities, select the queens who advance to the grand Regional Final, scheduled for late October at the Croix-Noire in Aosta. The event is organized by the A.Re.Ta. association (Amis des Reines et des Tchèvre) and represents a pillar of Aosta Valley rural identity.
More Than Just a Race
Around the fights, the Vertosan event offers the weighing of the queens, a lunch with typical local products, and moments of conviviality that make the elimination an authentic Aosta Valley mountain festival.
Batailles de Reines Vertosan — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Avise-Vertosan elimination is confirmed for Sunday, August 2nd, opening the summer season of the 69th Regional Batailles de Reines Competition. The 2026 calendar marks the start of the new three-year cycle 2026-2028 desired by the A.Re.Ta. association: moving from a biennial to a triennial system, with 15 eliminations per year to qualify queens for the Regional Final at the end of October at the Croix-Noire.
In the pastures of the Comba di Vertosan, owners will bring their cows to compete for a place in the final, in a high mountain setting that makes this elimination one of the most picturesque of the season.
Programme Batailles de Reines Vertosan 2026
Sunday, August 2, 2026 — Comba di Vertosan, Avise
- Morning — Weighing of the queens and category formation
- Midday — Lunch with typical local products
- Afternoon — Batailles de Reines contests, summer elimination of the 69th Regional Competition
The detailed timetable is published by the association in the weeks prior. Full calendar at amisdesreines.it.
Highlights Batailles de Reines Vertosan 2026
Prices Batailles de Reines Vertosan 2026
Practical information — Batailles de Reines Vertosan
How to get there
The Comba di Vertosan can be reached from Avise (SS26, about 17 km from Aosta) via the road leading up to the pastures. It is advisable to leave early: the area is at high altitude and spaces are limited.
Admission
Access to the competition area is generally free; lunch and tastings are paid.
Information
A.Re.Ta. - Amis des Reines et des Tchèvre, competition calendar at amisdesreines.it.
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Where does it take place — Batailles de Reines Vertosan
Comba di Vertosan, Avise
Località Vertosan, 11010 Avise