Batailles de Reines - Mont-Blanc / Courmayeur Eliminatory

Le Batailles de Reines, the soul of the Aosta Valley

The Batailles de Reines are one of the most deeply rooted and iconic traditions of the Aosta Valley. These are natural, non-violent fights between cows of the Aosta Valley breed, robust and combative animals that, driven by instinct, clash head-to-head to determine the dominant cow of the herd. There is no suffering for the animals: it is a behaviour that the cows exhibit spontaneously in the mountain pastures to establish the group's hierarchy. The overall winner earns the coveted title of Reina (queen).

The Courmayeur Eliminatory

The Mont-Blanc / Courmayeur eliminatory is one of the stages of the Concours Régional organised by the Association Régionale Amis des Batailles de Reines. It traditionally takes place in the splendid setting of Val Veny, at the foot of the Italian side of Mont Blanc, in the municipality of Courmayeur. During the day, the cows are divided into categories based on weight, and the fights take place in a natural arena surrounded by peaks, culminating in the proclamation of the category queens who qualify for the grand regional final in Croix-Noire, Aosta.

A popular Aosta Valley festival

More than just a competition, the eliminatory is a true village festival that brings together breeders, families, and enthusiasts. Around the arena, food stalls offer typical Aosta Valley products, from Fontina DOP to mountain cured meats, in a convivial atmosphere that tells the story of the rural and Alpine identity of Courmayeur and the entire Province of Aosta. For visitors, it is a unique opportunity to discover up close a centuries-old tradition that is still alive and deeply felt by the Aosta Valley community.