October 2026
Mushroom foraging around the Bergerie
Photo coming soon — waiting for it to be sent.
From the first September rains, the woods around Thenon come alive. The oak, chestnut and Scots pine forests of the Périgord Noir shelter an incredible variety of mushrooms — often just an hour's walk from the Bergerie is enough to come back with a full basket.
Horn of plenty
Despite its name and coal-black colour, the horn of plenty is a delicacy — one of the most fragrant mushrooms in the woods. It grows in dense clusters under oaks and chestnuts, often hidden beneath fallen leaves from late October into November. It dries beautifully, perfect for flavouring winter dishes.
Ceps
The cep — the undisputed star of Périgord's forests — has a glossy brown cap and a stout, bottle-shaped stem. Look for it at the edge of oak and chestnut woods from September to November, depending on rainfall. A classic simply pan-fried with garlic and parsley.
Chanterelles
With their golden colour and delicate apricot scent, chanterelles are among the easiest to spot, even for beginners. They favour damp, mossy undergrowth, especially beneath chestnut trees. Cut them with a knife, leaving the base intact to preserve the mycelium.
Other boletes
Beyond the cep, the bolete family is a wide one: bay bolete, orange birch bolete, and more. They're easy to recognise by the spongy tubes under the cap rather than gills — a handy clue for cautious foragers. Just as good in an omelette as in an autumn pan-fry.
A few tips before you go
Bring a wicker basket rather than a plastic bag, so spores keep spreading as you walk. Cut cleanly at the base rather than pulling, and only pick what you'll actually eat. If in doubt about a species, a French pharmacist can always check your basket before it reaches the table — a common and genuinely useful habit here in the Dordogne.
Where to look: our forest walks
The three marked trails on our Walks page run straight through these mushroom-rich woods — oak groves around Thenon, chestnut stands near Auriac, pine woods towards Bars. Follow the tracks on the interactive map, and keep your eyes on the ground once you're off the path.
→ Discover the hiking trailsHappy foraging — and remember to leave the youngest mushrooms to grow for next year.