San Lazzaro Patronal Feast

The Melle village festival

The San Lazzaro Patronal Feast is the highlight of the year for Melle, a charming village in the Varaita Valley, in the province of Cuneo, deep in the heart of the Occitan Piedmont. It is a classic village festival that, every second Sunday of June, brings together locals, returning residents, and visitors from neighboring towns for a day woven with faith, folk traditions, and conviviality.

Between the sacred and the community

The religious heart of the day is the Holy Mass, celebrated in the morning at the parish church, followed by a solemn procession through the village streets, accompanied by the Brossasco marching band. In recent years, the celebration has been enriched with a special moment for families, including a community blessing and the presentation of the traditional sonnet to the year's newborns: a simple yet deeply felt gesture that reflects the spirit of a still-united mountain community.

The Small Market and conviviality

Alongside the religious events, the festival features the San Lazzaro Small Market, set up in Piazza Botta: a showcase dedicated to local produce and valley handicrafts that brings the square to life all day long. Not to be missed are the traditional auction and the communal lunch under the town hall canopy, featuring the famous Tarcisio’s porchetta, now a gastronomic symbol of the event. The day is organized by the Pro Loco of Melle, which manages the market, social gatherings, and hospitality.

A window into the Varaita Valley

For those unfamiliar with this corner of the Cuneo province, the festival is an excellent opportunity to discover Melle and the Varaita Valley: alpine villages, hiking trails, Occitan culture, and genuine mountain cuisine. An authentic event, far from the crowds, where the small-town atmosphere is its greatest strength.