Truffles are One Reason to Visit Aups in Provence

Reasons to Visit Aups:

A Beautiful Location

Located between the Mediterranean coast and the Alps, the village of Aups is at an elevation of 505 metres (1,657 ft). Considered as the capital of the Haut Var, this mid-sized town has a population of roughly 2200 residents. However, on a busy summer weekend, the volume of people swells as Aups is considered the “gateway” to the Verdon Regional Natural Park, Lac St Croix and the stunning Gorges du Verdon.

Read: Day Tripping in the Var at Gorges du Verdon, Moustiers and Valensole.

Truffles and More

The traditional market days in Aups are Wednesday and Saturday mornings throughout the year. During the black truffle season, from November to February, there is a Thursday morning market. The fourth (4th) Sunday in January the Fete de la Truffe Noire d’Aups – is a festival surrounding the black truffle. The musty aroma of black fungi permeates the village. The festival includes a truffle market along with other local Provencal culinary delights.

Make time to visit the Maison de la truffe in Place Martin Bidouré. Dedicated to all things truffle, this space includes a shop, museum and discovery area. The facility closes on Sundays, and the hours change seasonally, so please check the website.

Additional reading:

Searching for Black Truffles the Millionaire’s Mushroom.

Elusive Truffles Hunting for Black Gold in Provence.

Les Pastras Gourmet Pursuits Unearthing Truffles.

Artwork

Well worth visiting is the Musée de Faykod located just outside of Aups. Discover the impressive hand-carved Carrera marble pieces by talented sculptor Maria de Faykod. Graceful white marble pieces by this French artist dot the sculpture garden. The museum’s visiting hours change seasonally, check the website before visiting.

The Musée Simon Segal art museum is located in the former chapel of an Ursuline convent. This contemporary art collection donated by Bruno Bassano includes paintings from schools in Bourges, Paris and Toulon. The museum’s collection incorporates over 280 paintings, drawings and charcoal sketches. Check the Facebook page for opening hours.

Take a Village Walk

The tourism website provides details for a nine (9) stop self-guided walking tour of the old village. It’s hard to miss the 25-metre high clock tower with its wrought-iron campanile. This 16th-century structure was built as a defensive watchtower and subsequently used as a prison.

Tourism Office
Place Martin Bidouré

@AupsTourisme

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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).