Provence
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Do
GO TRUFFLE HUNTING Join expert truffier Eric Jaumund at his forest home and get your hands dirty in search of the woodland’s most famous and expensive wild crop. Beyond the thrill of the hunt, Provence is perhaps is at its most beautiful in November when the chestnut trees change colour and truffling can be one of the most exciting ways to enjoy the region’s enchanting countryside.
Eat
RUSTIC FRENCH It is very difficult to eat badly in Provence as the locals just won’t stand for lack lustre cookery. Most villages have weekly markets, so do your research beforehand and swing by one of these for amazing cheese, scrumptious bread and other rustic treats. Also don’t forget to sample your finds with a truffle speciality or two.
TRUFFLE HUNTING IN PROVENCE One of the most popular holiday destinations in the South of France, Provence is famed for both its picturesque countryside and fabulous food. November is the perfect month to make a foodie pilgrimage, as it marks the start of the region’s truffle season. Nicknamed ‘black diamonds’ truffles are probably the most highly prized of funguses on earth, indeed Alexandre Dumas claimed that eating truffles put one in touch with the divine. And what better way to get to grips with this most luxurious and pungent ingredient than to hunt out your very own?
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The Hotel Crillon Le Brave’s Truffle and Wine weekends run on the 10th13th and 24th-27th November. The weekend included truffle hunting with Eric Jaumund, wine tasting at a Châteauneuf-du-Pape estate, breakfast and dinner including a dedicated truffle speciality dinner, truffle cooking demonstration with the hotel’s chef and a trip to Provence’s antiques capital Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Provence’s daytime temperatures in November average around 14°C; though it can be surprisingly balmy, warm clothing is recommended. Provence is best explored by car. Particularly if that car happens to be a vintage Citroën 2CV. Several companies offer rentals of classic French automobiles, so do your research before departing. Crillon le Brave is reachable by air from Avignon and Marseille airport and by Eurostar to Avignon.
Drink
SAMPLE VINTAGES AT A VINEYARD Educate your palate in the difference between Grenache and Shiraz and maybe find a new favourite at one of the region’s legendary Châteauneuf-duPape estates.
Stay
HOTEL CRILLON LE BRAVE Made up of a collection of centaury old picturesque stone buildings nestled in the heart of a tiny hilltop village, Hotel Crillon le Brave combines both rustic charm and airy luxury to make the perfect Provence hide away. And with its stone vaulted dining room serving high quality, locallysourced ingredients, cooked simply but brilliantly, it is a foodie’s dream too. www.crillonlebrave.com in MAGAZINE 17