Culinary Discovery of a Winterly Périgord

Arrive to the Chambre d'hôtes Les Hauts de Saint Vincent and be enchanted by the picturesque location above the Dordogne in Saint-Vincent-de-Cosse. A warm welcome awaits you from hosts Stéphanie and Fabrice, who have prepared an aperitif and a delicious evening menu for you. While you enjoy the culinary delights, get to know tour guide Anna and your fellow travellers. Soak in the cozy hospitality and charm of this place and look forward to an unforgettable time in Les Hauts de Saint Vincent.

After a delicious French breakfast with a fresh baguette, croissants, and an aromatic café au lait, a special activity awaits you. With Anna, set off for the “Fête de la Truffe” in her adopted hometown of Campagnac. This annual festival in honour of the black tuber attracts people from the surrounding countryside, including farmers, restaurateurs, and chefs, all coming together to celebrate this culinary delicacy. Watch the trained truffle dogs on their search, enjoy traditional music, and purchase fresh truffles. The highlight of the festival is the large truffle dinner, which takes place at long tables in the community hall. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to try this precious tuber in all its variations. During the festival, Anna will tell you interesting stories about the people of Périgord and their traditional customs. The meal lasts until the afternoon, and afterwards you’ll have free time to explore the quiet winter landscape on a walk or enjoy the cozy warmth of the fireplace. After the rich truffle menu for lunch, Stéphanie will prepare a light evening meal.

A stimulating and exciting day awaits you. With Anna, make your way to the picturesque town of Sainte-Alvère, which hosts one of Périgord's famous truffle markets every year. Here, you will have the opportunity to meet the charming Francis, an official inspector and true expert in the field of black truffles. With his extensive expertise, he will be at your side while you select and purchase truffles for your delicious terrine aux truffes. After this exciting market visit, you return to Campagnac, where you will be met by your neighbour Kim, a passionate farmer and host of a table d'hôte. In a cozy atmosphere, enjoy a light snack and let Kim introduce you to the art of preparing a terrine du porc au truffe brumale. This lesser-known brumale truffle is characterized by its strong taste and is the only truffle in the Périgord that can withstand high temperatures without losing its aroma. Perfect for preparing delicious pies and dishes. After you have demonstrated your creative cooking skills, Anna warmly invites you to her lovingly restored farmhouse, with its welcoming atmosphere and authentic charm. Enjoy a coffee and Anna's infamous caramelized walnut cake, a real treat that you shouldn't miss! The afternoon is free for you to explore the picturesque surroundings. Take a relaxing walk or simply enjoy the peace and beauty of nature. To round off the day, Stéphanie and Fabrice welcome you with another traditional Périgourdine menu. Let yourself be seduced by the delicious flavours and sophisticated creations of the regional cuisine as you end the day in harmonious company. Enjoy the exquisite dishes accompanied by fine wines and let yourself be enchanted by the warm hospitality and the authentic flair of the Périgord.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, make your way to meet Natalie and Richard, the owners of a duck farm. There, you will gain fascinating insight into the raising of ducks and the traditional craftsmanship of the diverse duck products on the farm. Natalie and Richard are happy to share their knowledge and passion for their work. For lunch, a truly exceptional experience is on the agenda as you visit one of the most renowned restaurants in Périgord, the Vieux Logis in Tremolat. This unique restaurant is located in a former tobacco drying house on a charming property with a beautiful park. Vincent Arnould has been conjuring up culinary masterpieces here for over a decade. With a clever combination of local products such as duck, walnut oil, mushrooms, truffles, and foie gras, he takes traditional Périgord cuisine to a new technical and aesthetic level. Enjoy a tasting menu with a variety of small courses that will tantalize your taste buds and inspire your senses. After this extraordinary culinary experience, embark on a scenic drive back to your accommodation, along winding paths that take you through the breathtaking Périgord landscape. Here you can end the day in peace and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the accommodation. If you prefer, Anna can also take you on a longer winter walk through the beautiful Dordogne Valley. Immerse yourself in the peace and beauty of nature as you let the crisp winter air surround you. In the evening, Stéphanie awaits you with her unique hospitality and regional specialties that will delight your taste buds. Enjoy a delicious dinner and let yourself be seduced by the aromas and flavours of Périgordian cuisine. It is a real pleasure to discover the variety and quality of the regional ingredients and to round off the day with another culinary highlight. Sit back, relax, and let yourself be pampered by the warm atmosphere.

This morning, your journey takes you to a sturgeon farm located on the banks of the River Isle. Excellent caviar is produced here, which is supplied to the best restaurants in France. The appreciation for sturgeon dates back to Roman times. You have the opportunity to take part in a guided tour and then sample some of the house's exquisite products during a small tasting. Immerse yourself in the luxurious taste of caviar and let yourself be seduced by the refinement of these unique delicacies.

For lunch, head to St Cyprien for a typical plat du jour before another highlight awaits you in the afternoon. You will meet Natalie and Richard, the owners of a duck farm. There you will get a fascinating insight into how the ducks are reared and the traditional artisan production of the many different duck products on the farm. Natalie and Richard are happy to share their knowledge and passion for their work with you.

In the evening, Stéphanie and Fabrice await you with their warm hospitality and another exquisite evening menu featuring delicious specialities from the Périgord. Take a seat in front of the warming fireplace and let yourself be enchanted by the aromas and flavours of this region rich in tradition. The carefully prepared dishes will delight your senses and give you an unforgettable evening. Enjoy the ambience, the good food and the company of your fellow travellers as you wind down the day.

After a delicious morning meal, set off with Anna to visit Eric, a truffle expert who will passionately explain Périgord's most famous product. In contrast to Piedmont, where truffles are searched for in the wild, truffle plantations are established in Périgord. The roots of the trees, which grow in symbiosis with the truffle, are pollinated with spores before planting. Eric is one of the pioneers who created an organic truffle grove, and he will be happy to share his extensive knowledge with you. Together with Eric and his talented dog, go looking for truffles in his picturesque plantation. In Périgord, truffles can be found all year round. The best of them is the Tuber melanosporum, or black winter truffle, also known as the Périgord truffle, which is harvested from December to February. Eric shows you different methods to preserve this precious mushroom for the rest of the year, thus preserving its flavours. Afterwards, an opulent lunch menu awaits you at the home of Eric's wife, Nadine, featuring the fresh and noble Périgord truffle in all its glory. You will be treated to the most sophisticated culinary creations that capture the magic of the truffle in an unparalleled way. After this sumptuous truffle treat, you will visit Lascaux IV, the information centre around the famous cave with paintings that are 17,000 years old. Immerse yourself in the fascinating prehistoric world and be enchanted by the impressive depictions of bygone times. This unique cultural experience will offer you an insight into the rich history of Périgord. After an eventful day of culinary and cultural treasures, a delicious dinner prepared by Stéphanie awaits you. Let yourself be tempted by the regional specialties and enjoy a relaxing end to the day in your accommodation.

Today, you will go on a trip to the neighboring Lot region. Although the most popular wine in Périgord is Bergerac, a very special wine thrives a little to the southeast on the slopes and along the Lot River: Cahors. This dark and strong wine goes perfectly with the cuisine of the southwest and promises a unique taste experience. Your first stop takes you to one of the most beautiful markets in the southwest, which is well-stocked even in the depths of winter. Stroll through the market, taking time to enjoy a coffee and letting the vivid impressions sink in. You will then visit a family business, ideally located directly on the Lot River, which produces delicious organic wines. Since Anna knows the family well, you will be welcomed with open arms and have the opportunity to ask questions both in the vineyard and in the cellar. During a tasting, you will immerse yourself in the fascinating world of wines and discover the unique flavours of this region. At lunchtime, stop at a cozy country inn to fortify yourself with a typical French plat du jour. Enjoy culinary delicacies prepared with fresh regional ingredients. On the way back, enjoy the winter landscape. Accompanied by Anna, you will discover two beautiful Romanesque churches that offer you an insight into the impressive history of this region. On the last evening, a very special farewell dinner awaits you, prepared by Stéphanie. Savour another truffle menu as you relive the wonderful moments from your trip together and share the joy of the culinary treasures of Périgord. This evening will be an unforgettable end to your eventful week.

After an enjoyable breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to your fascinating journey through Périgord. For those who have the time and desire, there is the option to add a few days in Bordeaux. This city offers a variety of exciting activities and sights, with impressive architecture, picturesque waterfront promenades along the Garonne, world-class gastronomy, and famous wineries. Anna will be happy to provide you with valuable tips and information.