Gran Forno Festival
Black bread baked in the communal oven of Plau, a tradition for Epiphany Day
About Gran Forno Festival
The village oven that comes back to life
In Saint-Denis, a municipality in the central Aosta Valley, Province of Aosta, the Gran Forno Festival revolves around a protagonist of yesteryear: the communal oven in the hamlet of Plau, recently restored. It is here that, on Epiphany Day, the Pro-Loco Château de Cly gathers the community to bake bread using the ancient method.
Pan ner
The star bread is pan ner, the black bread of alpine tradition, made with rye flour (at least 60%), wheat flour, water, and the age-old gestures. From the early morning hours, volunteers prepare the dough; after leavening, they shape the loaves and proceed with baking in the wood-fired oven. This results in about 250 loaves, distributed in three batches — one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening — before finishing with pizza.
A shared tradition
Pan ner is not just food: it is collective memory. Once upon a time, in Aosta Valley villages, the communal oven was fired up only a few times a year, and all families baked their bread together, intended to last for months. The Gran Forno Festival of Saint-Denis reconnects this thread, transforming baking into a moment of celebration and community. It is also an opportunity to taste an identity-rich product of the Aosta Valley, fragrant and genuine.
Gran Forno Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition took place on Epiphany Day, January 6th, at the restored communal oven in the hamlet of Plau. From the early morning hours, volunteers from Pro-Loco Château de Cly prepared the dough for the pan ner; after leavening, they shaped and baked the loaves in the wood-fired oven.
As every year, about 250 loaves were baked in three batches — morning, afternoon, and evening — followed by pizza. A day of shared work and the aroma of bread, around the oven that is relit for the whole village.
Programme Gran Forno Festival 2026
January 6, 2026 — Plau communal oven, Saint-Denis
- From early morning — preparation and leavening of the pan ner dough
- First batch (morning) — baking of pan ner loaves
- Second batch (afternoon) — baking of pan ner
- Third batch (evening) — baking of pan ner
- Following — pizza baking in the wood-fired oven
Approximately 250 loaves in total. Pan ner for sale, pizza offered.
Highlights Gran Forno Festival 2026
Prices Gran Forno Festival 2026
Practical information — Gran Forno Festival
How to get there
Saint-Denis is located in the central Aosta Valley, above Châtillon (A5 motorway exit Châtillon-Saint-Vincent). The festival takes place at the communal oven in the hamlet of Plau.
When
Traditionally on Epiphany Day (January 6th), from early morning. Three baking sessions: morning, afternoon, and evening; followed by pizza.
Prices and info
Pan ner for sale; pizza offered. Pro-Loco Château de Cly — tel. +39 338 8235618 / +39 335 5466589, [email protected].
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Where does it take place — Gran Forno Festival
Forno comunale, frazione Plau, Saint-Denis
Frazione Plau, 11023 Saint-Denis