Patronal Feast of Saint Nicholas and La Badoche of La Thuile

La Badoche, heart of the festival

The Patronal Feast of Saint Nicholas is the quintessential identity event of La Thuile, a village in the Valle d'Aosta at the foot of Mont Blanc. The central moment is La Badoche, defined by the inhabitants themselves as "our most heartfelt rite": a three-pointed staff decorated with colorful ribbons bearing the names of all the newborns of the year. It is the symbol of welcoming new life into the community and passing the baton between generations.

An ancient rite

According to tradition, the origins of La Badoche date back to the initiation ceremonies of primitive peoples, including Celtic cultures. The protagonists of the rite are the unmarried young people of the village, led by the capo badocher (head badocher), who animate the festival in the square with dances and processions.

A week-long festival

Around the patronal day of May 9th, a rich program unfolds over several days: the historical walk "At the Origins of La Thuile," dance evenings, Holy Mass, the civic ceremony with the presentation of civic maturity awards to the village's young people, and traditional palet tournaments. The event is organized by the Badouchì in collaboration with the municipal administration of La Thuile, the Fiolet section, the library, and the parish of Saint Nicholas.