Join professional truffle hunters and their trained hounds at Les Pastras Organic Provençal Farm in Cadenet, Provence, to search for the region’s prized truffles. The Pepin family operates seasonal programs — a summer season from May 1 to September 30 and a winter season from November 15 to March 15 — offering set weekday tours and more flexible options on weekends. The Truffle Hunting Tour includes a guided walk through the truffle plantation, tastings of fresh truffle hors d’oeuvres, Champagne, and a sampling of the farm’s own olive and truffle oils.
Tours require a minimum of two participants. Les Pastras produces organic, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, black truffle oil, and seasonal truffles on the farm. They also run a tree adoption program that delivers an annual shipment of olive oil or truffles to adopters.
During the visit, you’ll learn how truffle hounds are trained and how truffles are cultivated. Guides explain how to distinguish between different truffle varieties and how to recognize imitations. Along the way, you’ll hear entertaining stories about truffle history and occasional acts of truffle-related intrigue and sabotage.
The experience combines hands-on discovery with flavorful tastings and the chance to see sustainable, organic production methods in action, making it ideal for food lovers, nature enthusiasts, and anyone curious about this rare culinary treasure.