France's Museum of Natural History has confirmed the news in a press release: "It's the first time that this type of wild mushroom has been found in Paris."
The truffle, weighing 21 g, has grown near the roots of a hornbeam tree on the rooftop of the Mercure Paris Centre Hotel, near the Eiffel Tower. It was found by an urban ecology researcher.
Truffles usually grow more south and are dug up by trained dogs and pigs. The truffle discovered in Paris is a Tuber brumale, a type usually found in the Périgord region.
According to the press release from the museum, the discovery raises many questions, but also shows the potential of green roofs and urban gardening: "The discovery of this wild truffle is a wonderful example of how roof gardens and green roofs have a huge potential for urban biodiversity."
Knowing that truffles can be sold tu up to $6000 a kilo, we can imagine a few Parisians will suddendly get very interested in urban gardening...
