Patronal Festival of San Lorenzo and La Badoche in Pré-Saint-Didier

The festival of the patron saint San Lorenzo

The Patronal Festival of San Lorenzo is the most cherished event of the summer in Pré-Saint-Didier, a town in the Valdigne region of the Province of Aosta, at the foot of Mont Blanc. San Lorenzo, the town's patron saint, is celebrated on August 10th, but the festivities are spread over several days, bringing the entire community together between the sacred and the profane, tradition and conviviality. The event is organised by the Pro Loco of Pré-Saint-Didier.

La Badoche, a rite from afar

The heart of the festival is La Badoche, an ancient custom whose origins may date back to initiation rites of the earliest Alpine ethnic communities, perhaps Celtic. The protagonists are a group of unmarried young men and women, dressed in traditional costumes. The first "badocher" leads the procession carrying a plate adorned with flowers and ribbons, with a cake or an apple to collect offerings; a companion holds the traditional halberd, a staff topped with flowers and decorated with multicoloured ribbons, a symbol of power. The "giro della Badoche" (Badoche tour) goes through the hamlets of the town, accompanied by aperitifs and festive moments.

Procession, mass, and Aosta Valley tradition

The patron saint's day includes a procession through the town streets and a solemn mass in the Church of San Lorenzo, followed by traditional dances in the square and award ceremonies. Typical card games – scopa and belote – are not forgotten, nor are the moments dedicated to children. In the evening, dinners featuring traditional Aosta Valley dishes, such as game agnolotti and stewed beef with Nebbiolo wine, precede the dances that liven up the festival until late. An authentic opportunity to experience the spirit of a small mountain village and one of its most deeply rooted traditions.