San Lorenzo Festival
The patronal feast of Chianale featuring Occitan costumes, a procession, and traditional dances
About San Lorenzo in Chianale
A patronal festival in the heart of the Occitan valleys
The San Lorenzo Festival is the patronal feast of Chianale, the highest hamlet in the municipality of Pontechianale, located in the Varaita Valley (Province of Cuneo, Piedmont). Every year on August 10th, the entire village gathers around its patron saint for a day that weaves together religious devotion, historical memory, and Occitan identity. Nestled at over 1,600 meters above sea level on both banks of the Varaita stream, Chianale is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy: its stone houses, bridges, and narrow alleys provide a natural backdrop for one of the most authentic festivals in the western Alps.
Traditional costumes and the procession
The most anticipated and photographed moment is the costumed procession: men, women, and children parade wearing the rich traditional attire of the upper Varaita Valley, passed down through generations. These costumes, which bear witness to the local Occitan culture, are also preserved and showcased at the Museum of Costume and Textile Craftsmanship, opened in 2009 within the 18th-century premises of the ancient Capuchin Mission of Chianale. The parade accompanies the saint's statue along the village streets, starting from the parish church dedicated to San Lorenzo.
The Church of San Lorenzo
The heart of the festival is the parish church of Saints Lorenzo and Antonio, built between the 17th and 18th centuries. Inside, it houses a valuable Baroque altar of Briançonnais origin, supported by finely carved pine columns: a testament to Chianale's historical ties with the French side of the Alps. Together with Bellino and Casteldelfino, the village was part of the Castellata, one of the Escartons of the Briançonnais, before passing to the Savoyard Kingdom in 1713.
Market, auction, and Occitan dances
Throughout the day, the village hosts a market of local products and handicrafts, an opportunity to discover the flavors and skills of the mountains. Among the most cherished moments for the community is the incanto in the square, the ancient charity auction of offerings. The festival concludes with Occitan music and dances: courenta, bourrée, and gighe enliven the evening with live performances, in what is a true village celebration that attracts visitors from all over the valley and beyond.
Why it's worth visiting
- One of the most authentic patronal festivals in the Piedmontese Occitan valleys.
- The spectacular traditional costume procession through the stone village.
- The unique atmosphere of Chianale, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy in the upper Varaita Valley.
- Live Occitan music and dances, a market, and the traditional auction in the square.
San Lorenzo in Chianale — edition 2026
The 2026 San Lorenzo Festival will take place on Monday, August 10 in the village of Chianale (Pontechianale), as confirmed by the Municipality's website. The day follows the traditional format of the patronal feast of the upper Varaita Valley.
The detailed program for the 2026 edition (precise times, any evening concerts, and entertainment) is usually published by the Pro Loco and the Municipality in the weeks leading up to the event. As every year, the traditional Occitan costume procession, the market of artisanal and local products, the incanto auction in the square, and the Occitan dances in the evening are expected.
Programme San Lorenzo in Chianale 2026
The detailed program with final times for the 2026 edition will be announced by the Municipality of Pontechianale and the Pro Loco in the weeks before the festival. Based on previous editions, the day of August 10 includes:
- Morning — Solemn Holy Mass in the parish church of Saints Lorenzo and Antonio and traditional costume procession through the village streets.
- During the day — Market of local and artisanal products.
- Afternoon — Incanto (charity auction of offerings) in the square.
- Evening — Live Occitan music and dances.
Indicative times from past editions were: mass and procession in the morning, auction in the afternoon, and an Occitan dance evening. It is recommended to check the final program on the official channels of the Municipality and the Pro Loco of Pontechianale.
Highlights San Lorenzo in Chianale 2026
Prices San Lorenzo in Chianale 2026
Practical information — San Lorenzo in Chianale
How to get there
Chianale is the highest hamlet of Pontechianale, at the end of the Varaita Valley. By car from Cuneo, take the SP8 road up the valley to Casteldelfino and then to Pontechianale; Chianale is located past the lake, near the Agnello Pass. The road is scenic but mountainous: caution and sufficient travel time are advised.
When
The festival takes place on August 10th, the feast day of San Lorenzo. The mass and procession are held in the morning, the market enlivens the day, the auction takes place in the afternoon in the square, and the Occitan dances close the evening.
Tips
This is a mountain event: bring clothing suitable for the evening, when temperatures drop rapidly. Parking in the village is limited: it is best to arrive early. For information, you can contact the Municipality of Pontechianale (tel. +39 0175 950174).
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Where does it take place — San Lorenzo in Chianale
Borgo di Chianale