Why Sarlat Becomes the Dordogne’s Truffle Capital Every January (And What You Can’t Miss)

The Sarlat Truffle Festival is held each year in a medieval town in the Dordogne region of France on the third weekend in January. And no, we aren’t talking about the chocolate kind of truffle; we’re talking about fungi.

This fungi festival, which celebrates the “black diamond,” attracts people from all over France to Sarlat-la-Canéda. 

But it’s not just the truffles that draw in the crowds; it’s the tradition and craftsmanship involved in cultivating them, which is what the festival is all about.

Why Sarlat is the Most Visited Medieval Town in France in January

Sarlat-la-Canéda, the capital of Périgord Noir, is a stunning village in the Dordogne region of France that looks a little like it’s stuck in a Medieval timewarp.

Over two million people flock to this little town yearly, but it takes center stage in January. Why? For a little black diamond called the Périgord truffle.

This gourmet ingredient is highly valued in culinary circles for its unique flavor and aroma. It is earthy, musky, intense, and very popular.  So, of course, being French, it’s the perfect excuse to have a festival and praise the virtues of the truffle.

France is known for creating festivals around different vegetables and fruits. One of my favorites is Fête de la Fraise, the Strawberry Festival in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne. In 2017, as part of the festival, they created the world’s longest strawberry cake—you’ve got to love that.

But in Sarlat, it’s the Truffle Festival, an entire weekend dedicated to all things truffle. And that’s what brings the people, in their thousands, to this lovely little medieval town. In 2026, the festival dates are January 17-18.

What to expect at the Sarlat Truffle Festival in January

The Sarlat Truffle Festival is a celebration for both truffle aficionados and the uninitiated. 

You’ll find a wonderful array of experiences, from cooking competitions and workshops to artisan stalls and wine tasting, all highlighting the rich culinary heritage of the Périgord region.

Stalls and Markets

The heart of the festival is the award-winning Sarlat truffle market, where you can indulge in the famed truffles’ sights, smells, and textures. 

Local producers and dealers bring their harvest, offering truffles at various price points. The market caters to various tastes and budgets, from affordable finds to more luxurious selections.

Truffle-Hunting Demonstrations

One of the festival’s unique aspects is the truffle-hunting demonstrations. Held twice a day at Place du Peyrou, these demonstrations are not only educational but also entertaining. They feature trained dogs showing off their truffle-sniffing skills.

Culinary Delights

A highlight for many is the truffle-infused dishes available throughout the festival. For instance, you can try truffle “Croustous,” a type of Périgord tapas specially prepared by local chefs. 

Another popular treat is truffle-infused scrambled eggs, cooked in large copper pans and served very runny, French-style. They are to die for. I’d never had truffles before this, and I have to say, I’m now a truffle convert.

And, of course, there is always plenty of wine on hand to wash it all down. This is France, after all.

Cookery Competition

The festival also hosts a cookery competition at the cultural center of Sarlat. This event, organised by the Culinary Academy of Foie Gras and Truffles, features up-and-coming chefs from across France competing for the Jean Rougié trophy, judged by star-rated French chefs, including some with Michelin stars.

It’s like a fabulous theatrical production, as contestants in full chef’s whites and the customary ‘head chef’ hats (toques) parade before the crowd.

Workshops

For a more hands-on experience, the festival offers discovery workshops where you can learn the art of identifying and acquiring genuine truffles. 

Additionally, there are culinary workshops for younger attendees, making the event family-friendly.

Why is Sarlat the capital of Truffles?

The quick answer is the town’s terroir, located in the Périgord Noir region of the Dordogne. 

Sarlat-la-Canéda, to give it its full name, is in the heart of the Périgord Noir. The region’s climate and soil conditions are perfectly suited for the growth of truffles, particularly the famous black Périgord truffle. 

This natural advantage has made Sarlat synonymous with these culinary delights—so much so that the village, along with the Black Périgord Truffle Producers’ Group, decided to launch a festival celebrating the wonderful world of truffles.

What are Truffles, and where are they found?

Truffles are a type of underground mushroom or fungi that grows in symbiosis with the roots of certain trees, such as oak and hazelnut. 

Known for their distinct, strong aroma and unique flavor, they have a rough exterior and a firm texture, typically found using trained dogs or pigs to detect them beneath the soil.

The conditions required for truffles to grow are very specific, including the right soil, climate, and tree host.

Types of Truffles and Their Uses

• Black Truffles: Commonly found worldwide, black truffles are known for their strong, earthy flavor with a hint of bitterness. They are in season from December to March and are often used in simple pasta dishes, as their flavors develop when lightly cooked. Italian Black Winter truffles (Perigord Truffles) are particularly famous, with flavors of garlic, shallots, hazelnuts, and chocolate.
• White Truffles: These are rare and highly prized for their delicate aroma and subtle flavor. Harvested mainly in the Piedmont region of Italy from September to December, white truffles have a garlicky, musky aroma. They pair beautifully with butter, cheese, chicken, veal, and lobster, and are best shaved over dishes after cooking, such as risotto, polenta, egg dishes, and pasta.
• Summer Truffles: Milder in flavor with a more subtle aroma, summer truffles are harvested between May and August. They are versatile and often used in salads, pasta dishes, and sauces.
• Burgundy Truffles: Found mainly in France and harvested between September and December, Burgundy truffles have a strong aroma and an earthy flavor.
• Oregon Truffles: Native to the Pacific Northwest of the United States, they are known for their mild, nutty flavor. They are available from November to February.

How to use truffles in cooking

Truffles are best used fresh and should be added towards the end of cooking to preserve their aroma and flavor. Because truffle aroma is fat-soluble, it pairs well with ingredients that contain fats and oils. 

When storing them, keeping them in a cool, dry place and wrapping them in paper towels is crucial to maintaining their freshness.

Pasta Dishes: To elevate the dish’s flavors, truffles can be grated onto pasta or melted into warm butter with cheese, garlic, or pepper.

Arancini: Adding finely chopped truffles to the rice before breading enhances this Sicilian snack with a luxurious touch.

Truffle Cream: Infusing cream with truffle essence captures the aromatics, creating a rich ingredient for a variety of dishes.

Scrambled Eggs: Truffles pair wonderfully with eggs, adding depth and luxury to simple dishes like scrambled eggs.

Truffle Butter: Infusing butter with truffle aromatics transforms it into a gourmet condiment for steaks, potatoes, and other dishes.

Risotto: Adding truffles adds umami richness, either shaved on top or blended in as a seasoning.

Mashed Potatoes: Truffle-infused mashed potatoes, especially with homemade truffle butter, can create a decadent side dish.

Soups: Truffles can be shaved over homemade mushroom soup or other savory soups to enhance their earthy notes.

Why should you visit Sarlat?

Aside from its famous truffles, it has a history dating back to the 9th century and one of the highest densities of ‘Historic Monuments’ and ‘Classified Monuments’ in France. 

It’s celebrated as a ‘Town of Art and History’ and is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its beautifully preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture​​.

Sarlat’s architecture is a vivid tapestry of history spanning several centuries. At its heart are the beautifully preserved medieval buildings that dominate the town’s old quarter.

These structures are characterized by their ochre sandstone construction, steeply pitched roofs, and the use of lauze and stone slabs for roofing, a traditional technique in the region. 

As you walk around and explore, you are literally walking through the pages of a history book.

Sarlat has also had its moment in the Hollywood spotlight. Movies such as A Cinderella Story in 1997 and The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc by Luc Besson in 1998 were filmed here.

Its cobblestone streets and medieval buildings make it a director’s dream movie set for period films.

Final thoughts on the Truffle Festival in Sarlat-la-Caneda

If you’ve never tried mushroom risotto with truffles and crispy bacon, the best place to do so is in Sarlat at the Truffle Festival. It melts in your mouth and was the best thing I ate all weekend.

And if you love medieval villages with more history than you can throw a stick at, add Aubeterre-sur-dronne in the Charente and Brantome in the Dordogne to your list.