Smaller and more intimate than the Aosta fair of the same name, the Sant’Orso fair in Donnas is a very pleasant craft fair to visit.
It takes place in the medieval village, along the main street.
The Fair exhibits precious objects, made by about 500 craftsmen, and traditionally takes place on Sunday, preceded by other joyful events on Friday and Saturday. It is easy to be enchanted by the creations of these artists: it is impossible to go home without a gift or a memory to treasure.
Once a fair for selling farm tools built during the winter, over time it has transformed into a showcase for Valle d’Aosta’s traditional crafts products.
You can still find rakes, baskets, spoons and ladles, casks, sabots and household items, but today there is mainly the expertise of full-fledged artists to admire, who specialise in sculptures, bas reliefs, inlay on wood or serpentine as well as articles in copper and wrought iron, laces, fabrics in hemp or wool, slippers, etc.
- Il prezzo per accedere alla Veillà di venerdì sera è di €. 15,00;
- L'accesso alla fiera espositiva di domenica 19 è gratuito così come agli eventi collateriali di sabato 18 gennaio 2025;
Friday 17th January 2025
8.00 p.m. - Traditional "Veillà" looking for the open cellars in the old village, to discover the ancient crafts and
- tradizionale “Veillà”, alla ricerca delle cantine aperte nel vecchio borgo, to discover ancient crafts and typical and genuine flavours, ancient and contemporary, together with the musical Band from Donnas, the Mont Rose, Viva Voce, Cantori Salesi and Saint-Cecile-Summer Choirs, the Carema Street Band and the Banda d'Broc.
Saturday 18th January 2025
- 2.00 p.m. - Free guided visit of the Medieval centre and its surroundings. By reservation at the number (+39) 340.7533573;
- 7.30 p.m. - Torchlight procession through the streets of the village centre in honor of the craftsmen artists with the musical Band; meeting on the school square
- 8.00 p.m. - Holy Mass in the Chapel of Sant'Orso with the choir from Vert
- 8.30 p.m. - Visit at the sculpture school. Visita at the Lou Dzeut Cooperative
- 9.00 p.m. - In the Pavillon, concert of the mini band from Donnas and Junior "Cep" Band from Occhieppo Inferiore
Sunday 19th January 2025
- 8.30 a.m. - Official opening of the Fair
- 9.30 a.m. - Welcoming of the authorities
- 11.00 a.m. - Holy Mass in the St-Ours chapel
- From noon - Tradizional hot meal for exhibitors
- 5.00 p.m. - Awarding of artisan exhibitors and closing of the fair
From 8.30 a.m. until 6.00 p.m - Ethnographic exhibition organised by the Donnas library: Si-dzi, outte-hal;
Shuttle service
On Sunday there will be a free shuttle service with continuous runs from the industrial zone ex-Ilssa Viola in Pont-Saint-Martin to the roundabout in Hône-Bard, with stops in the various marked car parks, to the entrances to the Fair and the Bard Fort
The Bard Fort and the Foire
Throughout the day, a free shuttle service will connect the Fair area with the Bard Fort.
Note - this information is not directly connected to the Cammino Balteo path but it is part of the Aosta Valley tourist offer.