Festa Patronale di Saint-Gilles (Sant'Egidio) in Verrès
The celebrations for Verrès' patron saint
About Saint-Gilles
The Patron Saint of Verrès
The Festa Patronale di Saint-Gilles celebrates Saint Giles the Abbot, patron saint of Verrès, in the province of Aosta. The commemoration, set for September 1st, also gives its name to the evocative Collegiata di Saint-Gilles, the religious heart of the village, where the solemn mass in honor of the saint takes place.
Four Days of Celebration
The festivities are spread over four days, between late August and early September, with a program that grows each year with new offerings. Alongside religious and institutional moments, the calendar includes magic shows, concerts, tournaments, children's games, dinners in the historic center with live music, and evening visits to the Castle of Verrès. Among the most appreciated novelties is the vertical footrace "Défi Du Drapeau", which takes athletes to the flag on the summit of Mont Saint Gilles.
History, Sport, and Community
The festival involves the entire community of Verrès and is linked to the historical dimension of the territory, with medieval-themed events recalling the legacy of the Challant family and the "Caterina di Challant" consortium. A late-summer event that combines devotion, tradition, sport, and conviviality at the foot of the castle.
Saint-Gilles — edition 2026
In 2026, the Festa Patronale di Saint-Gilles will again animate Verrès around September 1st, the feast day of Saint Giles the Abbot. Four days of religious, sporting, and popular celebrations, featuring the solemn mass in the Collegiata, the vertical footrace towards Mont Saint Gilles, medieval-themed events, shows, and evening visits to the castle.
Programme Saint-Gilles 2026
The detailed 2026 program will be published by the Municipality and organizing committees in the weeks leading up to the festival. The usual four-day structure includes: solemn mass in the Collegiata di Saint-Gilles, the "Défi Du Drapeau" vertical race towards Mont Saint Gilles, tournaments, magic shows, medieval-themed events with historical groups, evening visits to the Castle of Verrès, dinners in the town center with live music, children's games, and a concluding market.
Highlights Saint-Gilles 2026
Prices Saint-Gilles 2026
Practical information — Saint-Gilles
How to get there
Verrès is accessible via the A5 motorway (Verrès exit) and has a train station on the Aosta-Turin line, near the center.
Events
Most events are free admission; some evening visits to the castle may require a reduced ticket.
When
The celebrations take place around September 1st, the feast day of the patron saint Saint Giles.
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Where does it take place — Saint-Gilles
Centro storico di Verrès, Collegiata di Saint-Gilles e Castello
Piazza Émile Chanoux, 11029 Verrès