January in Sarlat… the frost sparkles on the ground and the morning mist clings to the châteaux of the valley. This is peak truffle season, when these prized delicacies fetch eye-watering sums at market.
For two whole days, Sarlat becomes the place to be for any black truffle connoisseur. Come on Saturday and Sunday, and immerse yourself in everything there is to know about the famous tuber melanosporum, otherwise known as the Périgord black truffle.
Cauvaldor Truffe Lifestyle Malikaturin 2821.jpg 1920pxA full-on truffle and foie gras weekend
6054 Ville De Sarlat La Caneda Dordogne Libre
You’ll probably smell it before you see it. The irresistible aromas of truffle and foie gras drift through the squares and cobbled streets of Sarlat’s old town.
The festival begins at 9am sharp on Saturday morning, under the marquee set up in front of Sainte-Marie Church. A 3-Michelin-starred chef rings the opening bell, sometimes receiving the very first truffle of the day as a gift.
This is your chance to get hands-on: touch, smell and weigh the truffles yourself. Did you know just 30 grams can create three different dishes? The perfume is subtle yet intense — and winter truffles smell distinctly different from melanosporum. Here, you’ll learn how to tell them apart, and more importantly, how to savour them.
Marché aux Truffes à Lalbenque
Just a short stroll from the cathedral, the Place du Peyrou comes alive with a replica of a truffle grove and live demonstrations by prestigious chefs. Their passion is contagious, and before long you’ll be swept up in their expertise and tips on how to bring out the flavours.
And then come the “croustous”… On your way back to Place de la Liberté, it’s impossible to resist the temptation at the stalls selling indulgent little bites: the Croustous or Périgord’s answer to luxury tapas.
Created by renowned local chefs, they are to die for. Think scallop carpaccio with truffle, creamy black truffle risotto, potato layered mille-feuille, truffled duck tartare, pan-fried foie gras… the list goes on. Try them all and you won’t resist coming back on Sunday!
To walk it all off, head up to the La Sauça Vielha truffle farm in the hills above Sarlat. There, you’ll discover just how much work it takes to cultivate these special mushrooms and even meet the farm’s truffle-hunting dog.
By the end of the day, local restaurants are ready to delight you with menus inspired by the festival.
After a well-earned rest, Sunday offers even more delights: a food-and-wine pairing class at the Ancien Évêché, where you’ll learn how wines from Bergerac and Duras bring out the best in truffle and foie gras. Then it’s into the kitchens of Sarlat’s Lycée Pré-de-Cordy, where you’ll roll up your sleeves and learn how to prepare dishes such as scallop carpaccio with crunchy vegetables, devilled eggs with black truffle, celeriac rémoulade with truffle, and even chocolate and truffle soufflé.
You’ll go home full of ideas and perhaps with your own truffle in hand (about €30 for 30 grams).
Organise your truffle festival week-end
The next Truffle Festival in Sarlat will take place mid-January 2026 (dates to be confirmed)
For the gourmet dinner on the Saturday night, advance booking is necessary.
To make the most of the truffle weekend and the various events in town, booking accommodation in Sarlat is highly recommended.
For more information please contact the Tourist Office: 00 33 (0)5 53 31 45 45
