Concours Cerlogne
The great school celebration of Franco-Provençal patois
About Concours Cerlogne
The Concours Cerlogne, guardian of Aosta Valley patois
The Concours Cerlogne is a unique event: founded in 1963 and named after Abbé Jean-Baptiste Cerlogne, a poet and scholar of Franco-Provençal patois, it is a school competition that annually engages schools in the Aosta Valley in extensive research on a theme related to local culture and traditions. The project, carried out throughout the school year in patois, culminates in a grand two-day final celebration, hosted in turn by a different municipality in the region.
The 64th edition in Saint-Vincent
In 2026, the closing celebration returns to Saint-Vincent, in the province of Aosta, for the third time in its history after the 1968 and 2002 editions. The event is organized by the Regional Department of Education and Culture through the BREL (Bureau régional pour l'ethnologie et la linguistique), the office responsible for the protection and promotion of Franco-Provençal. The theme for the 2026 edition is "Dzoyé avoué… / Jouer avec…" ("Playing with…"), interpreted by students in a thousand different ways.
Two days of language, games, and tradition
For two days, the center of Saint-Vincent comes alive with the presence of over 1,900 children, teenagers, and teachers from all over the Aosta Valley and from some French-speaking municipalities in Piedmont. The program includes the welcome of classes, workshops, games, and guided tours, the schools' performance in the Grand-Paradis hall of the Grand Hôtel Billia Congress Center, the awarding of the "Ami de Cerlogne" prize to teachers, as well as exhibitions, stories in patois, folk dances, and demonstrations of traditional games like pétanque. A celebration that keeps a fragile linguistic heritage alive and contemporary, entrusting it to the new generations.
Concours Cerlogne — edition 2026
On June 4 and 5, 2026, Saint-Vincent hosts the 64th edition of the Concours Cerlogne, for the third time in its history after 1968 and 2002. The closing celebration brings together over 1,900 participants — approximately 1,677 children and teenagers and 223 teachers — from all over the Aosta Valley and some French-speaking municipalities in Piedmont (Chiomonte and Meana di Susa). The theme of the edition is "Dzoyé avoué… / Jouer avec…". The program spans two days with class welcomes on avenue du Piémont, workshops, games, guided tours, the schools' performance in the Grand-Paradis hall of the Grand Hôtel Billia, and the awarding of the "Ami de Cerlogne" prize.
Programme Concours Cerlogne 2026
Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5, 2026 — Saint-Vincent Center
- From 9:00 AM — Welcome of classes on avenue du Piémont
- Educational workshops, games, and guided tours for students
- Schools' performance in the Grand-Paradis hall of the Grand Hôtel Billia Congress Center
- Awarding of the "Ami de Cerlogne" prize to teachers
- Exhibitions of school work, stories in patois, performances
- Traditional games, pétanque demonstrations, and folk dances
Theme for the 2026 edition: "Dzoyé avoué… / Jouer avec…". The detailed schedule will be released by the Regional Department of Education and Culture and the BREL in the days preceding the event.
Highlights Concours Cerlogne 2026
Prices Concours Cerlogne 2026
Practical information — Concours Cerlogne
Getting there
Saint-Vincent is located along the SS26 of the Aosta Valley and is served by the Châtillon-Saint-Vincent train station. By car, it is accessible from the A5 motorway (Châtillon-Saint-Vincent exit).
Dates and admission
June 4 and 5, 2026. A school event with activities spread throughout the center of Saint-Vincent and at the Grand Hôtel Billia Congress Center; many events are open to the public.
What to discover
The exhibitions of the schools' work, the stories in patois, and the folk dances are the best way to approach the Franco-Provençal culture of the Aosta Valley.
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Where does it take place — Concours Cerlogne
Centro di Saint-Vincent e Centro Congressi Grand Hôtel Billia