Désarpa di Valgrisenche
The festival of the herds' return from the mountain pastures
About Désarpa Valgrisenche
What is the Désarpa
The Désarpa (or Feisa de la désarpa) is the festival that celebrates the descent of the herds from the mountain pastures at the end of the summer season, when cattle leave the high-altitude pastures to return to the valley floor stables. It is an ancient and deeply rooted tradition throughout the Aosta Valley, linked to the economy of livestock farming and the life of mountain communities. In Valgrisenche, a municipality in the valley of the same name in the province of Aosta, the Désarpa is one of the most anticipated events of the autumn.
A procession of cows, flowers, and bells
The heart of the festival is the parade of the herds through the main town: the cows, often adorned with flowers and large, unmistakable cowbells, make their way through the village streets accompanied by shepherds. The morning opens with a procession of authorities and children in traditional costume, a sign of the tradition being passed on to new generations.
Market, tastings, and conviviality
The parade is surrounded by a day of celebration featuring a food and agricultural market, the distribution of hot drinks by the Gruppo Alpini di Valgrisenche (Valgrisenche Alpine Group), and free tastings of typical Aosta Valley products. At midday, a final parade brings together all participants, shepherds, and livestock before lunch in the village's eateries. In the afternoon, the tasting of fiocca (traditional whipped cream) resumes, along with a weaving workshop for children – a nod to the ancient art of Valgrisenche's drap – and the market continues alongside the grazing herds.
Désarpa Valgrisenche — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Désarpa di Valgrisenche will take place, as tradition dictates, at the end of September, with the final date linked to the actual descent of the herds from the pastures. The programme follows the established format: a morning procession with authorities and children in costume, the parade of cows with their bells, a food and agricultural market, free tastings of typical products, and hot drinks offered by the Gruppo Alpini. Lunch will be served at midday, followed by afternoon activities including the fiocca and the weaving workshop for children. The detailed timetable and definitive date will be published closer to the event.
Programme Désarpa Valgrisenche 2026
Morning
- Opening with a procession of authorities and children in traditional Aosta Valley costume
- Parade of the herds through the town streets, with decorated cows and bells
- Hot drinks offered by the Gruppo Alpini di Valgrisenche
- Free tasting of typical Aosta Valley products and food and agricultural market
- Around 12:30 PM: final parade with all participants, shepherds, and livestock
Midday
- 1:00 PM: lunch with typical dishes in participating local eateries
Afternoon
- Tasting of fiocca (traditional whipped cream)
- Weaving workshop for children, commemorating the ancient drap of Valgrisenche
- Market continues in the meadow next to the grazing herds
The detailed schedule and final date will be published closer to the event.
Highlights Désarpa Valgrisenche 2026
Prices Désarpa Valgrisenche 2026
Practical information — Désarpa Valgrisenche
How to get there
Valgrisenche can be reached by car from the Aosta Ovest motorway exit or from Arvier along the Aosta Valley state road, then ascending the Valgrisenche valley. In autumn, it is advisable to check the mountain road conditions.
When
The Désarpa traditionally takes place at the end of September, with the date set based on the actual descent of the herds from the pastures.
Where to find information
Updated dates and programme on the regional website lovevda.it and at the Municipality of Valgrisenche.
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Where does it take place — Désarpa Valgrisenche
Capoluogo di Valgrisenche