“Vive Introd et Madame de Challant!” chant the people of Verrès in unison, paying homage to Caterina di Challant and her husband, Pierre d’Introd, and reenacting a real historical event that took place in the Middle Ages upon the death of the first Count of Challant. Today, the historical Carnival of Verrès is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year for the town’s inhabitants.
The festival retraces the historical events of 1442 in Verrès, a village in the central area of the Aosta Valley. Upon the death of Francesco di Challant, lord of Verrès, all his assets were inherited by his daughters, Caterina and Margherita. However, her male relatives opposed Caterina’s inheritance, as the law at the time prevented women from directly inheriting noble titles and feudal rights. Ignoring bans and edicts, Caterina first purchased her sister’s share of the estate and then, when summoned to court, refused to appear. The dispute escalated into a real conflict, with Caterina’s husband, Pierre d’Introd, standing against her male relatives. Meanwhile, Caterina sought to gain the people’s trust and support: on May 31, 1450, during the Feast of the Trinity, she went down to the village and danced with the commoners to show her closeness to them.
As a symbol of continuity between past and present, even today, on Carnival Saturday, the figure of Caterina di Challant, along with her husband, enters Piazza Chanoux to meet the people with music and dancing. Over the following three days, torches, drums, banquets, theater performances, and dances enliven the town, while children’s events and traditional gastronomy enrich the program between the village and the castle. On Shrove Tuesday, the event concludes with a parade of floats and the grand ball at the castle. With around 250 reenactors, the festival blends history and festivity, making Caterina the undisputed central figure of Verrès. This year, the historical reenactment will take place from March 1 to 4, 2025.
The Aosta Valley village is best known for its historical Carnival, but throughout the year, it also hosts other events, such as the Feast of Saint Augustine and Saint Roch at the end of August and the Pumpkin Festival in late September. Here, traditions remain very much alive, and each celebration is an opportunity to immerse oneself in local culture and discover the customs that have characterized the community for centuries. Every event thus becomes a unique experience, bridging past and present.
