A particular festival takes place during the patron saint’s day in the municipalities in Valdigne: the “Badoche”, whose origins date back to typical celebrations of primitive, ethnic origins, including the Celts.
The protagonists of this ritual are a group of young men and women, who are not married, dressed in traditional costumes. The first “badocher”, which directs the group, holds a plate in his hands decorated with flowers and ribbons with a dessert or apple in the middle which is used to collect offerings, while another “badocher” carries a stick crowned with flowers and decorated with multi-coloured ribbons, the symbol of power.
During the vigil to the patron saint, the badoche bring the cheer and music of accordions to all the houses in the village, to announce the festival and collect money, which was once used to organise the festival, but is now given to various charities.
The patron saint’s day hosts traditional ” dancing in the square” where the badoche invite the population to dance according to a very precise sequence.