Le Domaine Truffier du Grand Merlhiot: Luxury stay in charming guest rooms

The Black Truffle of Périgord is a specialty of our region that amazes the taste buds of connoisseurs. The Domaine Truffier du Grand Merlhiot offers you a luxury experience, to discover it in its most secret aspects, housed in a magnificent, typically Périgordin stone complex and completely renovated, dating from 1751. Henri Parent invested here and entrusted this estate to Karine and Olivier Leserne, who welcome you with respect, for a stay entirely focused on the precious black gold of Périgord. Come to the Domaine du Truffier du Grand Merlhiot in Périgord Blanc, amateur or great connoisseur, to revel in the sweet and unique flavors of the real Périgord Black Truffle...

Photos of the article © Domaine truffier du Grand Merlhiot

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The rebirth of an old Périgord truffle farm

In 2017, Henri Parent, owner of the Châteaux Le Gay and La Violette ( Pomerol ), a wine estate in Argentina and grandson of Jacques Durand, founder of the crystal works of Arques, fulfilled a promise made to his late mother: he buys a former truffle estate made up of 75ha of land, of which 50ha will soon be dedicated to the creation of the largest truffle plantation in Périgord. For this, he surrounded himself with Olivier Leserne and his wife Karine, who together administered the estate. After 2 and a half years of work for the rehabilitation of the old farmhouse and fortified house in order to accommodate 3 luxury guest rooms, they rehabilitate the property, heal the abandoned trees, plant 13 ha young shoots and prepare the cultivation of 20,000 mycorrhizal truffle trees over the next 5 years.

It is a titanic task, a large-scale project at the height of their ambitions. It is not by chance that they have chosen these places. Périgord is a renowned truffle -growing region, isn't it said that the Tuber Mélanosporum is the Black Truffle of Périgord (although it is also cultivated elsewhere)? Image, fame and fertile ground for this capricious mushroom... Indeed, the truffle is not easily tamed, it is an uncertain specialty of the mouth and when you plant a hundred trees, you need patience, care and (let's face it) lucky for about twenty subjects to give truffles!

To flush out this mushroom, which appears almost evanescent, you need tenacious specialists: Olivier is a former forest ranger from Picardy, he knows the land well and since his meeting with Mr. Parent, he has been applying ancestral methods in order to carry out well this large-scale production project. The owner who lives between Belgium, its vineyards and now the Périgord, trusts him and the two men are now working together to bring out this beautiful project. Since December 2021, the domain is open to guests. 3 splendid charming guest rooms, nestled in the heart of the estate in an old fortified house, welcome Truffle lovers, for an à la carte stay between relaxation, tourism, demonstration of cavage and of course, tasting!

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A Black Truffle stay from Périgord, at the Domaine du Grand Merlhiot

Karine Leserne administers the guest rooms, which are distributed in a sumptuous set in Périgord stone, completely renovated with taste and elegance. The 3 guest rooms enjoy a heated swimming pool with swimming lane (from April to October), a landscaped park in the pretty town of Savignac-les-Eglises in Périgord Blanc, with a view of the truffle fields. The common room hosts an imposing through fireplace, which offers the living room and the dining room a peaceful and warm atmosphere in winter. It is around this authentic cantou that the guests of the guest rooms enjoy a quality breakfast, entirely homemade, with pastries and fresh local bread.

There is the winter truffle, the Tuber Mélanosporum, but also the summer truffle, the Tuber Aestivum. Less known and therefore less worked, it nevertheless offers powerful, greener and fresher scents but just as interesting to discover. It is eaten rather raw and harvested from mid-June to mid-August. It is also present at the Domaine du Grand Merlhiot.

During the stay, truffle lovers can (depending on the time of year and weather conditions), take part in a cavage demonstration. Follow Ostape or Sweet , the two Lagotto Romagnolo, truffle dogs trained from an early age to smell the fine and powerful scents of truffles hidden underground. Olivier will explain to you the cultivation of truffles, the sowing of the trees, the care lavished on them, and of course (the most exciting part of the job), the truffle flushing which takes place from December to mid-February. The Périgord Black Truffle is delicious fresh, finely grated simply on a piece of fresh bread with salted butter or scrambled with eggs, in a risotto. It is also eaten added to quality canned preparations: In foie gras, in a sauce (like the excellent Périgueux sauce )…

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Gourmet table d'hôtes with truffles

Karine comes on stage and in the kitchen in the evening, to offer a table d'hôtes based on the famous truffle, the one produced at the Domaine du Grand Merlhiot. Take a seat around the superb table in the dining room, near the cantou fireplace and enjoy an entirely homemade meal, just for you. As a starter, foie gras from a traditional farm in Sorges, grilled meats on the fireplace (for example a beef steak ) and tender roasted potatoes with truffles as an accompaniment. Karine also concocts the dessert like truffle caramel with her ice cream with such original flavors or a homemade tarte tatin. On reservation, the tables d'hôtes are the essential pleasure of the stay, which does not belie the gastronomic reputation of our beautiful Dordogne.

To complement your meal, you can choose a bottle of prestigious wine from Mr. Henri Parent's private cellar. Taste one of the wines from its vineyards, to enhance the flavors of your dishes (additional charge).

Savignac-les-Eglises is located about 15 minutes from Périgueux, the Capital of Périgord Blanc with its sparkling Saint-Front Cathedral and its charming historic town centre. You are only a few minutes from Brantôme, the astonishing Venice of the Périgord Vert, where the Dronne winds between the abbey and the old centre, its craft shops and restaurant. From the estate, hiking enthusiasts can take several trails. Unless you prefer to stroll in the park and relax around the swimming pool? Your stay at Domaine du Grand Merlhiot will always be a success, led by the kindness and professionalism of Karine and Olivier.

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