Truffles, the black diamonds of the Périgord. I have never seen so many as I did last weekend, emerging from the clay-ish red soil, sitting on the kitchen counter, sifting down atop freshly sautéed foie gras, grated into tender butter, folded into slow-scrambled eggs, layered with creamy cheese.

The occasion was On Rue Tatin’s first truffle weekend. It will now become a regular offering, and we’re planning another in February, since the season is still in full swing and from all indications, there are many many fragrant black tubers just waiting to be found by Ulysse, the truffle dog of all time.

For the Truffle Weekend: Arrival in Peyrenègre , a tiny hamlet in the heart of the Périgord on Friday or Saturday evening. You can take a train or a plane to Brive and be picked up, or do as our friends did last week, and hire a car in Bordeaux for the pleasant two hour drive through unparalleled countryside.

Once arrived at the foie gras farm where our weekend takes place, you’ll be shown to your room, then come to the farmhouse and sit by the fire as you enjoy apéritifs – home made fruit wines, and treats that might include foie gras and grated truffle, freshly toasted bread with truffle butter, nuts and hazelnuts from the orchards, and other local delicacies.

The following morning after a hearty farm breakfast, a truffle hunt is on the menu, weather depending. If it rains in the morning, the hunt will be put off until the afternoon – Ulysse can’t smell the tubers in the rain. But when we do go a-hunting, what treasures await! Ulysses smells a truffle, digs, then sits and watches us have the fun!

After a short break, we will prepare dinner together, and you will learn tricks and techniques about French cuisine, foie gras, truffles. We’ll sit down for our meal, the fire at our backs, to the sumptuous meal we’ve prepared.

The next morning, after another hearty breakfast, we will say our goodbyes.

P.S. You will want to go home with some of the farm’s incomparable foie gras pate, rillettes, walnuts, walnut oil. The farm “shop” will be open, just for you!

Truffle Weekend in the Périgord

Price to be announced, from 1800€ per person double occupancy (price may vary slightly based on the price of truffles)

• Accomodations for two nights
• Pick up and delivery to train/airport in Brive la Gaillarde if necessary (http://www.aeroport-brive-vallee-dordogne.com/
• Five meals
• Truffle hunt
• Cooking class
• More fun and authentic experience than you can imagine