Batailles de Reines — Valtournenche Elimination

What are the Batailles de Reines

The Batailles de Reines ("battles of the queens") are one of the most defining traditions of the Aosta Valley. The protagonists are cows of the Aosta breed, robust and combative animals that, by natural instinct, challenge each other to establish the herd's hierarchy. In a series of bloodless matches, the cows face each other, pushing head-to-head until one retreats: whoever resists advances in the competition. The event, organized by the association Amis des Reines, has its roots in the Aosta Valley peasant culture and has been documented in an organized form since at least 1958.

The Valtournenche elimination

The Regional Competition of the Batailles de Reines is structured into a series of eliminations held in various municipalities of the region between spring, summer, and autumn: the winners qualify for the regional final in Aosta, where the absolute queens are crowned in the different weight categories. In Valtournenche, in the province of Aosta, one of the summer eliminations takes place, in an exceptional setting dominated by the pyramid of the Matterhorn.

More than a competition: a community celebration

The day of the Batailles is not just about competition: a true village festival is created around the arena, with refreshment stands, typical products, and encounters between breeders, enthusiasts, and curious onlookers. For the visitor, it is an opportunity to discover a still-vibrant rural world up close, where the passion for the "reines" is passed down from generation to generation and accompanies the entire season, from spring to autumn. Attending an elimination in Valtournenche means entering the heart of Aosta Valley identity.