According to tradition, this carnival event was established in commemoration of the march through the Great St. Bernard Pass by Napoleon and his troops in May 1800, during his campaign in Italy. The carnival costumes then are traditionally an allegorical transformation of the uniforms originally worn by the French soldiers.
A bear is represented and symbolises the arrival of Spring; mule tails represent the winds and are used to banish baleful breezes; the mirrors on the costumes ward off evil spirits and the bright red colour, which symbolises vigour and strength, also has the power to dispel dark spirits, ill omens and misfortune. During the parade, the carnival characters enter the homes of local families; they dance along the streets and in the squares and eat and drink whatever they are given.
Program
Saturday 1st March
9.00am: Exit of the masked group and visit to the families of the hamlets of Excenex, Arpuilles and Planet
Sunday 2nd March
- 9.00am: Exit of the masked group and visit to the families of the hamlets of Variney, Arliod, Plan Chambavaz, Chez Roncoz
The masks will be accompanied by all the joueurs who have animated the carnivals in previous editions and extend the invitation to all those who have masked in previous years to dust off their costumes and join in the great celebrations - Area Proloco 9.30pm: Evening dance in the company of the Orchestra i Ragazzi del Villaggio - Free entry. At 11:00 pm, arrival of the masked group in the company of la meusecca and couscrit de Cogne
Monday, March 3
9:00 am: Exit of the masked group and visit to the families of the hamlets of Seyssinod, Meylan, Cré, La Resaz, Le Château, La Michettaz and le Plan du Château
Tuesday, March 4
- 9:00 am: Exit of the masked group. Departure from the Esso Chiribiri station and visit to the families of the hamlets of Chaez Henry, La Favèrge, Saraillon, Signayes, Ru, Grand Signayes and Ossan
- Area Proloco at 9:30 pm: Great dance evening in the company of the Orchestra Giuliano e i Baroni - Entrance 5.00 euros. At 11:00 pm arrival of the mysterious masked group
- Lawn adjacent to the area at 12:00 am: All together to burn the Carnival
During the dancing evenings, a well-stocked refreshment stand and sandwiches at will (Valdoburger)
Note - this information is not directly connected to the Cammino Balteo path but it is part of the Aosta Valley tourist offer.