Historical Carnival of the Coumba Freida of Étroubles

The Carnival of the Coumba Freida in Étroubles

The Historical Carnival of the Coumba Freida is one of the most distinctive traditions of the Aosta Valley. "Coumba Freida" (Cold Valley) is the name given to the area between the Valpelline and the Great St Bernard valley, where every winter a series of municipalities celebrate their carnival with the famous Landzette. In Étroubles, a charming medieval village in the province of Aosta along the historic Great St Bernard road, the carnival finds an exceptional setting among alleys, fountains, and ancient stone houses.

The Landzette and the Legend of Napoleon

According to local tradition, the origins of the carnival and its costumes are linked to the passage of Napoleon and his army through the Great St Bernard Pass in May 1800. The colorful costumes of the Landzette are said to be a grotesque and allegorical re-enactment of the uniforms of the French soldiers of that era. Each element has a symbolic meaning: the bear announces spring, the mule tails ward off harmful winds, the mirrors repel evil spirits, and the red color protects from misfortune.

The "Benda" between Village and Hamlets

In Étroubles, the benda (group of masked figures) gathers in the morning at the schools, visits the mayor's house, and travels through the hamlets of Echevennoz and Chez les Blanc before parading through the village. The masked figures enter houses, dance in the streets, and share food and drinks with the inhabitants. The evenings are enlivened by masked balls in the multipurpose hall of Bar Tennis and, on the last evening, by the award ceremony for the most amusing patoille (groups of masked figures).

The Carnival Museum and Aosta Valley Heritage

Étroubles houses the Museum of the Coumba Freida Carnival, which tells the story, costumes, and symbols of this ancient custom. The carnival is considered among the most characteristic in the Aosta Valley Region: a living cultural heritage, passed down from generation to generation, which attracts curious visitors and lovers of Alpine traditions every year.