Celebrate Alpine Mardi Gras with a colorful and cheerful parade Bells, flowers, medals, Austrian knots, beads, pompoms, feathers, cockades and long ribbons: the multicolored army of Le Beuffons announces the arrival of Carnival in Courmayeur Mont Blanc.
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When Italian Carnival time arrives, the streets become colorful and cheerful. Under a shower of confetti and jolly garlands, extravagant masks and costume parades bring joy to the city center and carry the old traditions. In Courmayeur, carnival also has a very definite place. Mardi Gras is announced by Lé Beuffons, a group of carnival characters equipped with distinctive bells that get the party started and bring fun and folklore to the whole town.
A day without laughter is a day wasted. (Charlie Chaplin)
Discover the parade of Lé Beuffons, the traditional Carnival of Courmayeur.
This cheerful “army” first appeared at the beginning of the 20th century and their costumes are an ironic take on military uniforms. And they indeed have a military-like task: Lé Beuffons announces the arrival of “lo Carmetran”, the Courmayeur Mont Blanc Carnival, during which they also act as “security guards”. They keep the crowds in check during the festivities and keep the people away from the parade’s floats, using irony and cheer as special weapons.
The typical Courmayeur Mont Blanc carnival costume is worn by approximately 40 people who make up the army of “Lé Beuffons”. The carnival outfit is a highly-decorated military uniform: a top hat with flowers and colorful ribbons, a black jacket with many medals, Austrian knots, colorful beads, red trousers with pompoms, white knee-length socks and red gaiters.
