Villeneuve-Minervois, the Truffle Capital

Villeneuve-Minervois 1 day

localisation-villeneuve-minervois
Anne vous raconte son expérience autour de la truffe ©Céline Deschamps - ADT de l'Aude
Tried and tested for you by
Anne, A gourmet explorer
As the Christmas holidays approach, the truffle market of Villeneuve-Minervois offers the ideal opportunity to try the famous black diamond, the Pays Cathare® truffle.
  • Culture
  • Wines & Gastronomy
3/5

Highlights

  1. Food Market
  2. the Black Diamond rush!!!
  3. Temptation at the Truffle Centre
  4. Gourmet adventure at La Table du Pareur

01 Highlight

Food Market

Tried, tasted, and relished!

9.30 am: Villeneuve-Minervois food market.

My tastebuds are on alert. I explore the market aisles in search of the hidden treasures of Minervois: wine, olive oil, honey, gingerbread, etc.

The traders and artisans here have a real passion for their produce!

But where are the truffles? They’re everywhere!

Dégustation de beurre truffé ©Vincent Photographie-ADT de l'Aude

There’s everything from butter to Brie, and a truffle-speckled goat cheese.
The aperitif ends with olives and charcuterie.

A chef and a culinary workshop!
Truffle recipes are prepared before my eyes: verrines, truffle pâté… I can already see these delights on my Christmas party table.

Did you know?

Fans of the “black diamond”, gourmet chefs and the simply curious come every year to the famous truffle market of Cathar Country, which is held in Villeneuve-Minervois on three Saturdays between December and February. This charming village standing at the foot of the Montagne Noire, at the entrance to the Clamoux Valley some twenty kilometres from Carcassonne, has declared itself to be the Aude truffle capital.

Dégustation de fromage truffé à Villeneuve-Minervois ©Vincent Photographie-ADT de l'Aude

The Black Diamond!

Villeneuve-Minervois is where Languedoc’s first and only brotherhood devoted to the black diamond -Los Trufaïres de Vilanòva de Minerbés- was founded. The association brings together more than 650 producers who farm 750 hectares of truffle plantations. Their purpose is to promote the black truffle (Tuber Melanosporum) and the summer truffle (Tuber Aestivum) through various events such as truffle markets, truffle festivals and the annual “Truffe & Patrimoine” gala dinner held every February.

Marché de la truffe à Villeneuve-Minervois ©Vincent Photographie-ADT de l'Aude

02 Highlight

The Black Diamond rush!!!

The Truffle, an underground empress!

Almost 11 o’clock. A rope separates the public from the truffle farmers and the precious fruits of their labours. The tables protect them. First inspection by a judge appointed by the Chamber of Agriculture of Aude and the Truffle Farmers’ Association: the truffles are weighed, inspected one by one, and sealed in a hessian sack. No doubt about it, these Tuber Melanosporum are top quality. Any damaged or frost-bitten truffle is removed.
Pesée de la Truffe à Villeneuve-Minervois ©Vincent Photographie-ADT de l'Aude

The room is filled with a strong aroma of damp undergrowth with hints of chocolate and hazelnut. My senses are heightened.

Standing at the rope, this first-time visitor is filled with excitement.
A gunshot rings out, the rope falls, and it’s a race to buy the truffle treasure, a scramble for the queen of truffles!!!

With “the famous black diamond” in my pocket, I’m looking forward to a real banquet!

Pesée de la truffe ©Vincent Photographie-ADT de l'Aude
Présentation de la truffe ©Vincent Photographie-ADT de l'Aude
Présentation de la truffe ©Vincent Photographie-ADT de l'Aude
Marché aux Truffes ©Vincent Photographie-ADT de l'Aude

Truffle facts

Truffles are fungi that grow underground. Truffles produced in Aude bear the Pays Cathare® seal of approval, which guarantees their quality and authenticity!!!
The following truffles grow in Aude:

  • The Perigord black truffle (Tuber Melanosoporum), considered to be the Queen of truffles, is on sale from December to February
  • As for the summer truffle, or Saint Jean Truffle (Tuber Aestivum), this is harvested from May to September and is very different from the black truffle.They smell and taste completely different and are not used in the same recipes.

La Popote à Pépé to
Villeneuve-Minervois

Play Video

03 Highlight

Temptation at the Truffle Centre

Explication de la culture de la truffe à la Maison de la truffe ©Vincent Photographie-ADT de l'Aude

Visit to Occitanie Truffle Centre

Shall we visit the Occitanie Truffle Centre
On the trail of this mysterious fungus, armed with an audioguide, I explore the 300 m² facility on an interactive tour that covers five theme rooms. I observe, sniff, and learn about the environment, the cultivation and the marketing of truffles.

So much good food to try

The tour leaves me on Cloud 9, then the shop beckons me.

I succumb to the temptation of this display of treasure: truffle risotto, duck rillettes… an invitation to dinner at my house should get your tastebuds tingling.

The Truffle Centre also carries the Pays Cathare® quality label.

Visite de la boutique à la maison de la truffe ©Vincent Photographie-ADT de l'Aude
Visite de la boutique à la maison de la truffe ©Vincent Photographie-ADT de l'Aude

04 Highlight

Gourmet adventure at La Table du Pareur

Dégustation de vin à la Table du Pareur ©Vincent Photographie-ADT de l'Aude
Dessert à la Table du Pareur ©Vincent Photographie-ADT de l'Aude

It’s already 1 pm and I’m starving.

The “Truffle” menu proposed by Marie and Serge at La Table du Pareur is really tempting, as are the PDO Minervois wines.

This restaurant occupying an old wine cellar has retained all its authenticity, with exposed stone walls and wooden beams…

Try the experience yourself...

Hotels, restaurants, activities, getaway ideas… see our favourite addresses to ensure you get the most out of your experience
 in Villeneuve-Minervois.

LA DEMEURE DU PAREUR

Chambres d'hôtes (guestrooms) VILLENEUVE-MINERVOIS

The Grand Carcassonne Tourist Office
at Caunes-Minervois

Henri Gaud - ASPC

ABBAYE DE CAUNES-MINERVOIS

Religious site CAUNES-MINERVOIS

From 5€

Cabrespine and Limousis caves and caverns

Getting here

By car

From 30 minutes to Carcassonne, take the D620 then the D112 to Villeneuve-Minervois.

Electric charging stations

(See the electric recharging points in the municipality)

Get directions :

Something to take home

Local produce

PDO Minervois wines
Dame Carcas craft beer

Give a note
to this experience

1 étoile2 étoiles3 étoiles4 étoiles5 étoilesLoading...