Historical Carnival of the Coumba Freida of Saint-Oyen

The Carnival of the Coumba Freida in Saint-Oyen

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, swept by icy winds, where every winter a series of municipalities celebrate their carnival with the famous Landzette. In Saint-Oyen, in the province of Aosta, along the ancient pass road to Switzerland, the masks animate the village in the heart of the Alpine winter.

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, during the Italian campaign. The colourful costumes of the Landzette are said to be a grotesque and allegorical evocation of the French soldiers' uniforms of that era. Each element has a symbolic and apotropaic meaning: the wooden mask on the face, the mirrors and beads that ward off evil spirits by reflecting light, the ponytail and the belt with bells, while the red colour protects from misfortune.

The 'Benda' Visits Houses and Hamlets

In Saint-Oyen, the benda (group of masked revellers) gathers in the morning at the town hall and begins a long day of visits: houses in the village, campsites, and hamlets. The masked figures enter homes, dance in the streets and squares, and share food and drinks with those who welcome them, according to a community ritual passed down through generations. The day culminates at the Foyer of Yvette and Leo and concludes with a dancing evening open to all.

A Living Heritage of the Aosta Valley

The Coumba Freida carnival is considered among the most characteristic in the Aosta Valley Region and involves, besides Saint-Oyen, the neighbouring municipalities of Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses, Étroubles, Allein, Bionaz, Doues, and Ollomont. Nearby Allein hosts the Museum of the Coumba Freida Carnival, dedicated to the history, costumes, and symbols of this ancient Alpine custom. An opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Great St Bernard valley away from the main tourist crowds.