The festival of cellars dug into the rock
The Féhta dou Barmé, meaning "festival of the cellars" in Patois, is one of the most evocative events in Villeneuve, in the province of Aosta. The village stands on an ancient landslide, the Becca, in whose rock the barmé have been carved over the centuries: natural cellars with constant temperature and humidity, ideal for preserving fine wines, cheeses, and cured meats. For one summer evening, these hidden spaces open to the public.
During the festival, local wine producers offer tastings of white and red wines from the Aosta Valley directly in the cellars, while along the main street, artisans display carved wood, dried flowers, traditional objects, and leather goods. In the square, there are plenty of gastronomic products — cheeses, honey, sweets — accompanied by live music with choirs and accordions, and entertainment for children.
The Féhta dou Barmé, organized by the Pro Loco of Villeneuve, is an authentic Aosta Valley festival: zero-kilometre street food, evening dancing with an orchestra, sweets, crêpes, and the Pro Loco bar. A perfect opportunity to discover mountain oenology and the identity of a village literally built on rock.
The 2026 edition of Féhta dou Barmé returns to animate the historic center of Villeneuve. For one summer evening, the characteristic cellars dug into the rock of the Becca open for tastings of local wines, while the village fills with food stalls, crafts, music, and dancing.
The detailed 2026 program will be announced by the Pro Loco of Villeneuve in the weeks preceding the event. The usual structure includes: afternoon opening of the cellars with tastings of white and red wines from local producers; along the main street, craft exhibitors (carved wood, dried flowers, leather goods); in the square, gastronomic products (cheeses, honey, sweets) with live music from choirs and accordions; children's entertainment and shows in the park; in the evening, zero-kilometre street food and dancing with an orchestra.
Villeneuve is located along the road to Gran Paradiso, accessible from the A5 motorway (Aosta Ovest-Saint-Pierre exit) and the SS26.
The festival is free to enter; wine tastings in the cellars and gastronomic products are available for purchase at individual stands.
The event is held in the summer, generally in mid-August, in the afternoon and evening.
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Centro storico di Villeneuve e cantine della Becca