St. Laurence's day: the Patron Saint of Pré-Saint-Didier

During the saint’s feast day a special exhibition is held in the Valdigne municipalities: the “Badoche” whose origins may date back to initiation celebrations typical of the early ethnic tribes, including the Celts.

The protagonists of this rite are a group of unmarried young men and women, dressed in traditional costumes.
The first “badocher”, who leads the group, carries a plate decorated with flowers and ribbons, with a sweet or apple in the centre used to collect offerings, while another “badocher” carries the traditional halberd, a stick crowned with flowers and decorated with multicoloured ribbons, a symbol of power.
The Badoche will bring cheer and accordion music to every house in town to announce the feast and collecting money, wich is used to organize it or wich is donated to association in need of help.

The traditional “balli di piazza” are held on the patron saint celebration day where the badoche invites the population to dance according to a precise sequence.
The feast continues with the dinner with typical dishes and ends with the dance evening.

• Patron saint of the village
• suitable for young and old
• popular tradition
• joy and music