12 Foodie Experiences to Try in Dordogne
This corner of southwest France is blessed with a mighty larder of food and drink to tantalise your taste buds.
1. Musée de la truffe
There are five floors dedicated to the Périgord black truffle – or ‘black diamond’, as it’s known in the Musée de la Truffe, housed in a 15th-century building in Sarlat-la-Canéda. Exhibitions cover truffle hunting, cuisine and tasting.
2. Sarlat truffle festival
In mid-January, Sarlat-la-Canéda hosts its annual truffle festival where you’ll find cookery workshops, tastings, market stalls and truffle-hunting with trained dogs, plus a cookery competition.
Sarlat truffle festival
3. Sarlat fest’oie
Here’s a festival well worth having a gander at. Every year, on the first weekend in March, Sarlat-la- Canéda celebrates the Périgord goose, with gourmet food, marching bands, goose-taming and lots of goose-based dishes.
Sarlat Fest’Oie
4. Périgueux street markets
On Wednesday and Saturday momings street markets take over Place du Coderc, Place de la Clautre and Place de l’Ancienne Hôtel de Ville. In winter you’ll find truffles, mushrooms and foie gras.
Perigueux street market
5. Château de Monbazillac
This lovely 16th-century monument historique is home to the famous sweet white wine of the same name. A new visitor route celebrates the wines and the history of the château.
Chateau_de_monbazillac_© Dordogne Libre
6. L’essentiel
According to Michelin, at this one- star restaurant in Périgueux, chef Eric Vidal “organises a genuine banquet of flavour. Wild turbot baked in olive oil, pressed celery with black truffles…” Menus range from €72 to ΕΙ 10.
L’Essentiel
7. Le Grand Bleu
This Michelin-starred restaurant on Avenue de la Gare, in Sarlat- la-Canéda, offers menus from €29 up to €84, featuring pig’s trotters. foie gras, cod, veal and beef. Head chef is local boy Maxime Lebrun. Cooking courses also offered.
Le Grand Bleu
8. Festival du Livre Gourmand
First set up in 1990, this annual festival in Périgueux brings together foodie writers from all over France and beyond, with live cooking demonstrations. workshops and debates.
Festival du Livre Gourmand
9. Walnut oil
Walnuts are a major ingredient of the Dordogne’s culinary heritage. At this orchard, mill and farm near Sarlat, you can learn all about the production of walnut oil. In the shop you’ll find walnut-based oils. sweets, cakes and drinks.
Walnuts
10. Maison Manouvrier
By blending fragrances, fruit and spices, Roland Manouvrier creates exquisite ice creams at his shops in Cadouin and Terrasson- Lavilledieu. Try crème brûlée, gin and mojito, Marco Polo or Kamasutra. The taste buds boggle!
Maison Mainouvrier
11. Marché de Monpazier
Thursday mornings are when this lovely town turns into a foodie haven thanks to its market. The stalls are set around Place des Cornières, and in summer it spills into the surrounding streets.
Monpazier market © Les Conteurs
12. Moulin de la Pauze
There has been a mill on this site in Saint-Méard-de-Drône for three centuries, originally powered by the river. Visitors can learn how the artisanal bread is made and try their hand at baking. You’ll need to book, ahead.
From France Today Magazine
Moulin de la Pauze
Lead photo credit : Dordogne is known for its truffle-rich soils © shutterstock
Share to: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
More in Dordogne gastronomy, foodie, French food, french gastronomy
Related Articles
Leave a reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *