What Does Winter Smell Like? · Grasse is famous for putting fragrance in a bottle. On a Saturday in January, I’d rather find mine in a paper bag from a truffle grower.
The Grasse Truffle Market returns to Jacques Chibois’ La Bastide Saint‑Antoine on Saturday, 9 January 2027. It’s the first of two dates for the 31st Marché de la Truffe, with the second market taking place in the village square of Le Rouret on Sunday, 17 January. Both celebrate the Provençal black truffle, Tuber melanosporum. 2027 announcement
From the oak roots to the market table
The first thing I’d go to see is the dogs. A black truffle develops underground in association with the roots of trees such as oaks and hazels. What looks like an empty patch of soil to us can hold something a trained dog can find by scent. The search and careful extraction are known as cavage. If you’ve only ever met a truffle already shaved over a plate, this is a chance to see the step that comes before the kitchen. Grasse Mat’ on cavage
There’s another small detail worth looking for at the stalls. Before the market opens, the truffles are checked and given a small cut. You may hear the word canifage. The cut lets the inspector see the flesh inside and assess the truffle’s maturity and condition. Ask a grower to show you one. It’s a better introduction to buying a truffle than standing at the stall trying to decide which one looks the most expensive. Market quality checks
Two January dates worth saving
Saturday, 9 January 2027 · GrasseLa Bastide Saint‑Antoine, 48 avenue Henri Dunant, 06130 Grasse. The announced market hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The programme lists the first truffle-dog demonstration at 10:30 a.m., a tasting at 11 a.m. and a gastronomic lunch at 1 p.m. If you want to stay for lunch, contact the Bastide directly for availability and booking details. Published programme · Venue and contact details
Sunday, 17 January 2027 · Le RouretThe village-square market is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The morning programme includes a guided visit to the experimental truffle plot. It’s the date I’d choose if I wanted to spend more time finding out how truffles are grown. Published programme
Two January dates worth saving
Saturday, 9 January 2027 · GrasseLa Bastide Saint‑Antoine, 48 avenue Henri Dunant, 06130 Grasse. The announced market hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The programme lists the first truffle-dog demonstration at 10:30 a.m., a tasting at 11 a.m. and a gastronomic lunch at 1 p.m. If you want to stay for lunch, contact the Bastide directly for availability and booking details. Published programme · Venue and contact details
Sunday, 17 January 2027 · Le RouretThe village-square market is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The morning programme includes a guided visit to the experimental truffle plot. It’s the date I’d choose if I wanted to spend more time finding out how truffles are grown. Published programme
What I’d cook with one
I’d buy a small truffle and ask the grower what they’d cook with it that evening. My own answer would probably be soft scrambled eggs, butter and toast. Keep the eggs just warm enough, shave the truffle at the table and give everyone a moment to smell it before they pick up a fork.
A truffle risotto would be my choice if there were more people coming over. I’d finish it simply and bring the truffle out with the plates. You can make a whole evening out of a very small purchase if you give it the right dish.
The most Grasse detail of all
MARTTI, the artist patron of the 2027 edition, created a perfume bottle shaped like a truffle, combining worked metal and glass. I like the thought that someone in Grasse looked at a truffle and imagined a perfume bottle. I looked at the same thing and imagined scrambled eggs. There’s room for both. The story behind MARTTI’s truffle bottle
By Chef Jan · Online·Chef TALES
