Every October, the people of Cogne celebrate the Devétéya de Cogne, an important mountain festival, centred on the gathering and return of the herds from the mountains, where they go at the start of the summer.
Many people in Cogne own pasturing animals such as sheep or cows, and there are groups of pastors who help them, and offer them pasture in the mountains during the summer months.
When the herds return, the streets of the town are decorated with flowers, flags, banners and there is traditional medieval and renaissance music, The town is filled with sheep, deer, cows, horses and donkeys, and so tourists can easily understand that this is a more traditional way of life tied to nature and the cycle of the seasons.
Dévéteya de Cogne 2018: the fair
The central part of the Devétéya de Cogne are the herds that pass through its streets, a chance to see these animals in all their splendour. Five different herds pass down from the mountains to gather together in the fields of Sant’Orso, before they are taken to their respective stables. This happens during the Saturday and Sunday of the fair, and the whole thing is accompanied by regional folklore bands. There are also art and local trade exhibitions, plus the stalls of the local farmers. We also have the local food stands: the restaurants of the Valley in this period offer all the typical dishes of the region, but be sure to book!
Dévéteya de Cogne 2018:the programme
The following is the programme from the 2018 edition of the fair:
Saturday 29 September
Piazza Chanoux and the town centre:
10.00, inauguration of the 12th edition of the “Devétéya” and opening the fair itself
around 10.15, passage of the herds
around 11.00, passage of the herds
around midday, passage of the herds
From 12.30 to 2pm, regional Les Saveurs de l’Alpage lunch offered at the various restaurants participating in the event (booking recommended)
around 3pm passage of the herds
around 4pm, passage of the herds and the donkeys
In the council gym:
from 20.30, the “La Devétéya” dinner, organised by the Proloco of Cogne (booking recommended, places limited)
22.30, dance evening, free entry
Sunday 30 September
10.00, Mass at the parochial church of S. Orso
10.45, procession of the animals to the church accompanied by music from folklore band Lou Tintamaro Enfants
11.15, in piazza Chanoux the animals are blessed
From 12.30 to 2pm, regional Les Saveurs de l’Alpage lunch offered at the various restaurants participating in the event (booking recommended)
Programme and bookings
Thanks to the kindness of the managers of the Cogne rest-area, we have been able to agree the following arrangements (although we are waiting final confirmation).
Friday evening: arrival and parking of campers in the Cogne rest-area with reserved spaces
Saturday morming: the fair starts at 10.30
free lunch
afternoon free to participate in the Fair and walk around the town
reserved table at the celebration dinner
Dinner menu for the Devétéya
Vegetable pies
valdostana risotto
Mixed boiled meats with sauce
Panna cotta
Sunday morning: participation at Mass (for those who want to) and the blessing of the animals
Lunch
afternoon free to relax or make your way back
To book a place, you can:
email the organisers at info@incampercongusto.it
book via our stand at the Camper Salone (Pavilion 2 Stand: N050)
call us: Monica 349/1087359 – Angela 333/2902442
Please be aware that places are limited, and the rest-area does not offer many space for reservation. So booking is compulsory.
