Truffle hunting with a dog: discover a workshop in Drôme Provençale

What happens during a truffle hunt?

You watch the dog explore, return to an area and indicate a spot to its handler. The handler then checks and carefully uncovers the truffle. The search happens live. Its pace depends on the dog, ground and what is present beneath it; the route is not a sequence of prearranged finds.

Understanding the grove

The tree, soil and fungus are the starting point for the explanations. Truffles grow underground: looking at branches cannot tell you how many are present. Our growing guide introduces mycorrhiza, host trees and monitoring a plot. You can use it to prepare questions before visiting.

The three-hour programme

We begin by meeting the group and introducing the grove. Then follow Lala: when a truffle is located, you can help lift it under our guidance. The tasting connects those actions with cooking, pairing truffles with wines from our old-vine Drôme selection. A non-alcoholic alternative is provided; wine is for adults.

When to visit and how to prepare

Truffle hunting runs from 15 November to 15 March, depending on maturity and ground conditions. Allow about an hour walking in the grove, with closed shoes suited to potentially wet ground. The workshop is led in French only. We confirm the date and meeting point with you; heavy rain means agreeing another date at no extra charge.

Individual and group prices

Groups have up to 15 people, including children. Up to two groups can be organised per time slot: 30 people per half-day and 60 per day, subject to confirmed staffing. Private bookings or more than 60 attendees require arrangements across several time slots or dates, agreed by quotation. Count everyone attending when planning hosting and the budget. The individual reference price remains €99 including tax for three hours; take-home purchases are optional and separate.

Can you take truffles home?

Truffles available after the session may be bought optionally by quotation, up to 100 g per participant. The batch, weight and price are confirmed before purchase. The workshop includes no take-home quantity and the search with dogs guarantees no harvest. The visit programme is confirmed by quotation before booking.

Three things to watch as the dog works

Watch the dog and handler together to understand hunting. Let the handler tell you where to stand: crowding the dog can disrupt its search. These questions help you follow the work even when no truffle is recovered.

1. During the search: how does the dog explore the area and how does its handler guide it?
2. At marking: which change in this dog's behaviour does the handler recognise? Ask for an explanation at the time.
3. After marking: how is the truffle uncovered, the hole filled and the dog rewarded? You can take part in extraction with us, following instructions: wait for them before touching the soil or truffle.