Truffle markets

If you come to the south of France looking for traditional markets you won’t be disappointed. Almost every town has a weekly traditional market offering fresh produce – fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat etc wheer the pleasure of just looking at the products available is almost as great as enjoying them later.

If these aren’t enough head to one of the larger towns – Marseille, for example, as well as the large market in the harbour, has numerous markets relying in part on easy transport links with north Africa.

There are also various speciality markets – port towns will usually have a fish market etc. During the winter there is another type of speciality market that takes place across much of southern France – the market for black truffles.

One of the most expensive and sought after products produced in the region, the truffle markets are a great place to buy the truffles ’straight from the forest’. Be warned, they don’t come cheap and 100 grammes of truffle (enough for four people to enjoy a truffle omelette) will probably cost you upwards of 25-40 euros! prices vary considerably depending on availability and demand – perhaps one benefit of the financial crisis will be cheaper truffles?

Are they worth the price? Only you can decide, but a fresh truffle used properly is a treat that everyone should enjoy at least once. Unfortunately it’s a bit of an acquired taste so you might find you need to try a few!

The truffle markets are found in Provence, Dordogne, and many other parts of the south where traditional oak and mixed forests are still found, and are usually held from mid-December to the end of february.

The most famous of all the truffle markets is held at Lalbenque near Cahors, with other popular markets held at Apt, Aups, Carpentras, Montségur and Valréas in Provence;  Saint Paul Trois Chateaux in the Drome department; Brantome, Sorges, Sarlat,  Sainte-Alvere and Thiviers in the Dordogne; and Uzes in Languedoc.

Even if you don’t plan to buy truffles it is worth visiting one of the truffle markets if you visit southern France during the winter for the experience, the atmosphere, and the rich odour of truffles that fills the air!