Truffles are predominately grown near oak trees (and sometimes fragrant fields of lavender) so a walk through a truffle farm is always a lovely, scenic route. Made more so by man’s best friend. In previous times, pigs were usually used to search for the tricky truffles but nowadays, the truffle hunter scours the farm with his truffle-hunting dogs in tow. When the dog smells the truffle’s aroma, he either marks it with his paw or begins digging it up himself. Either way, the hunter must hurry to scoop it up and then reward his (or her) buddy with a special doggie treat.
It’s a charming ritual that has been taking place for years and yet still continues in this day where technology seems to have overtaken nearly everything else—and so is quite a delight to see! While harvest season runs in the winter, roughly from November to March, one can enjoy truffles all year round in the form of popular kitchen staples, such as truffle-flavored olive oil and truffle salt. Be inspired by your visit to add fresh truffles or truffle-flavored products into your own cooking at home for a special, decadent twist!
After the tour, the group will head to the charming town of Grignan to visit a Renaissance Chateau perched on a hill surrounded by lavender fields. Along with the truffles unearthed in this region, this Provencal town is known for its picturesque red-tiled roofs, tree-lined, winding streets, open-air cafes and colorful markets.
Go in search of Avignon's highly prized "Black Diamond" truffles during our Colors of Provence river cruise.