Discover the region
If you wish, we are at your disposal to help you organise your stay at Gîte du Diamant Noir, as part of our "long weekend offer" during the truffle season...
To give you some ideas, below please find a sample itinerary of places you could visit during your stay in the beautiful region of Verdon, notwithstanding some “restaurant” advice.
Enjoy reading and again, we are at your disposal if you would like any advice…
Day 1 - morning
Walking tours of the marché de la truffe and the la Maison de la truffe in Aups:
1. The truffle market in Aups takes place every Thursday morning from 8:00 am. In 2022, the truffle season was "exceptional" on the Aups market, both in quantity and quality according to the president of the Var truffle growers.
-- Address: Place Martin Bidouré - 83630 AUPS --
-- From the Gîte du Diamant Noir: 15 min on foot --
-- Parking is also available free of charge in the village --
2. La Maison de la truffle is located in the heart of the Village of Aups, in the Old Hospice Saint-Jacques (17th century). A visit offers something for everyone, for the young and the old, amateurs, experts, or novices, a visit offers a unique and fun deep dive into the mysterious, underground world of the black diamond of Aups.
The house has four areas for you to explore and experience :
o The Truffle Adventure - Polysensory space
o The Truffle through the 5 senses - Discover / learn to taste
o Truffo-tourist - Activities / Services around the truffle
o Products – Boutique
-- Address: Place Martin Bidouré - 83630 AUPS --
-- www.maisondelatruffe-verdon.fr --
-- From the Gîte du Diamant Noir: 15 min on foot --
-- Parking is also available free of charge in the village --
Day 1 - Afternoon
In the afternoon, why not take a drive and discover the breathtaking region around Lac de Sainte-Croix, the Gorges du Verdon (the largest cannon in Europe), or enjoy visiting the beautiful village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie , with it's legendary viewpoints such as the Pont du Galetas bridge.
On your return, and stay with the theme of the morning, why not stop off at the restaurant of la ferme du Domaine de Majastre . The Domaine de Majastre is one of the greatest references in the truffle world. You can enjoy a meal with truffles and also participate in the search for truffles with dogs!
For more information and reservations see:
or call on +33 49 4700 512
-- Address: Route des Salle sur Verdon, 83630 BAUDUEN --
-- From the Gîte du Diamant Noir: 12 min by car --
Day 2
In the morning, why not discover the divine village of Tourtour. Perched at an altitude of 635 m, Tourtour has rightly been nicknamed "the village in the sky" of Provence. With its stone houses topped with round tiles, the Place des Ormeaux and its eight fountains, the vaulted passageways, and sun-drenched alleys... Everything is there, including the panoramic view over the entire valley.
At lunchtime, why not take advantage of the many restaurants located on the main square of the village… We recommend trying the restaurant La Farigoulette and asking for a table on their terrace at the back. You will not be disappointed with the views over the valley or in the restaurant itself which offers a simple but quality menu.
On your return to Aups, we recommend stopping by the Taurenne olive-growing estate, known as “Château de Taurenne ”, located just 8 km from our gîte. This is an exceptional estate, allowing you to not only admire the beauty of the estate and its 11,000 olive trees but also learn about the history of the castle and treat yourself by testing their unique and different types of olive oils.
For more information see www.domaine-de-taurenne.fr or call on +33 49 810 2135
Address: 5800 Route de Tourtour, 83630 AUPS
From the Gîte du Diamant Noir: 12 min by car
In the evening and more particularly for dinner, we recommend an essential experience in Aups, the restaurant 'La Truffe' and its chef Sébastien Gaillard offering contemporary and creative cuisine inspired by its name, even down to the deserts, yes truffles are definitely on the menu but not exclusively, for those still acquiring the taste...
For more information see:
https://www.facebook.com/RestaurantLaTruffe
or call on +33 49 467 0241
Day 3
Then how about visiting one or two of the region's many wineries , testing their best rosé, white and red wines, and why not add a guided walk through the vineyards. There are many in the region but we can recommend a few:
Saint-Jean-de-Villecroze estate
- Located in the middle of the vineyard, the estate extends over 50 hectares including 15 hectares of vines.
- The cellar allows visitors to taste the wines and discover local products from Provence: honey, tapenade, salt in wine, etc.
- The plus: beyond delicious wines, the 3km hiking trail & tour within the estate itself to better understand the geological richness of the land by crossing an ancient aqueduct and an 11th-century chapel.
- Address: Quartier St Jean, 83690 VILLECROZE
- From the Gîte du Diamant Noir: 13 min by car
Chateau Thuerry
- The estate as a whole covers 340 hectares, including 40 of vines and some 750 olive trees.
- The majestic bastide welcomes you to discover wines that are famous throughout the world.
- The plus: the possibility to visit the 'Chai' which is truly a unique opportunity, although reservation is required.
- Address: Chemin Thuerry, 83690 VILLECROZE
- See also www.chateauthuerry.com
- From the Gîte du Diamant Noir: 14 min by car
Domaine Valcolome
- The Valcolombe estate is a charming 8-hectare property, including 5.9 hectares of vines, and around a hundred olive trees, all surrounded by pine forests and cypresses.
- The plus: there is a beautiful trail in the middle of the vineyards and a hike that loops above the estate
- Address: 1375 Chemin des Species, 83690 VILLECROZE
- From the Gîte du Diamant Noir: 11 min by car
Cotignac , which is a 20-minute drive from our gîte, is another village with Provençal character. Cotignac is the 'St-Tropez' of Provence Verte & Verdon. There is a lovely atmosphere with small, quaint picturesque streets offering many different shops, particularly decorative ones, where it is good to stroll, along with many lovely restaurants and bars.
Sillans-La-Cascade , which is a 9-minute drive from our gîte, is very pleasant to visit mainly for its magnificent 42m waterfall with a beautiful turquoise blue lagoon. The access route to the waterfall is about 25 minutes on foot from the car parks. A must-see during your stay.