Regional Final of Goat Battles - Battaglia delle Capre in Perloz

Goat Battles, an Aosta Valley Tradition

The Batailles des Chèvres (goat battles) are a traditional event typical of the Aosta Valley, related to the more famous Batailles de Reines (cow battles). The goats face each other in natural encounters, according to a hierarchical instinct inherent to the species, and the regional competition crowns the season with a grand final. Since 2023, this final has been held in Perloz, in the Lower Aosta Valley, in the evocative natural arena of Tour d'Hérèraz.

A Season Lasting a Summer

The competition is structured in a series of qualifying rounds held between May and October in eight municipalities in the Aosta Valley — including Gressoney-Saint-Jean, Pont-Saint-Martin, Champorcher, Issime, Fontainemore, Donnas, Issogne, and Montjovet. The highest-ranked goats qualify for the regional final in Perloz, where they compete for the title in various categories.

The Categories and the New Strabime Category

The competition includes five categories: Prima, Seconda, Terza, Strabime, and Bime. The Strabime category, recently introduced, is reserved for goats aged 2-3 years and aims to encourage breeders to bring younger animals to the competition, letting them compete with peers rather than experienced adults. The event is organized by the Association Combats des chèvres.

A Rural Heritage to Experience

Attending the final of the Batailles des Chèvres in Perloz means immersing yourself in a tradition that tells the story of the rural world and mountain farming in the Aosta Valley. A popular, free, and deeply identity-driven event that celebrates the bond between the communities of the Aosta Valley and their animals.