Désarpa of 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 celebrating 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, unmistakably sounding cowbells, parade 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 with the food market, the distribution of hot drinks by the Gruppo Alpini of Valgrisenche, 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 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 continuation of the market next to the grazing herds.
Désarpa Valgrisenche — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Désarpa of Valgrisenche will take place, as tradition dictates, at the end of September, with the definitive date linked to the actual descent of the herds from the mountain pastures. The program follows the established pattern: morning procession with authorities and children in costume, parade of cows with bells, food market, free tastings of typical Aosta Valley products and hot drinks offered by the Gruppo Alpini, lunch at midday, and afternoon activities with the fiocca and the weaving workshop for children. The official date will be announced closer to the event.
Programme Désarpa Valgrisenche 2026
Morning
- Opening with the procession of authorities and children in traditional Aosta Valley costume
- Parade of the herds along the streets of the main town, with decorated cows and bells
- Hot drinks offered by the Gruppo Alpini of Valgrisenche
- Free tasting of typical Aosta Valley products and food market
- Around 12:30 PM: final parade with all participants, shepherds, and livestock
Midday
- 1:00 PM: lunch with typical dishes in participating village eateries
Afternoon
- Tasting of fiocca (traditional whipped cream)
- Weaving workshop for children, in memory of the ancient Valgrisenche drap
- Continuation of the market in the meadow next to the grazing herds
The detailed hourly program and the definitive 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 going up the Valgrisenche valley. In autumn, it is advisable to check the condition of the mountain road.
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 mountain pastures.
Where to get information
Updated dates and program 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