Robion
Robion is a quaint old village in the Vaucluse, situated between Cavaillon and Coustellet, just 26 km from Avignon.

Nestling at the foot of the Luberon mountain range, the village of Robion is a petite Provençal pearl set in a luxurious verdant setting. Discreet and shielded, you have to go deep into its old centre to discover its charms. Peaceful and shaded, the old village invites you into a world where time has stood still with its cobblestone lanes and old, admirably restored houses. In the centre of the centre, encircled by a ring of sycamores and stone benches, you will find the old fountain, the Pompe, with a column that had been a well in the past. On one side, the fountain is flanked by a big Romanesque church from the 12th century surmounted by an apron-shaped bell tower.

Truffle Hunt:
Truffles or ‘black gold’ from the south of France make up over 80% of French truffle production. Enjoy a very unique ‘hands on’ experience and find out more about the world’s most secretive business.
Tour a truffle plantation, learn how truffles are cultivated, hunt truffles with truffle dogs who are trained by professional hunters. Learn how to clean, store and cook truffles.

Truffle hunting tours run Summer and Winter, Monday – Friday. Each tour includes a sampling of fresh truffle hors d’oeuvres, champagne and olive oil and truffle oil tasting.

Afternoon Winter Truffle Hunt (Mid November – Mid March) – depart from Aix-en-Provence 1.30pm and return 5/6pm.
Evening Summer Truffle Hunt (May – September) – depart from Aix-en-Provence 5pm and return 9/10pm.

The interesting thing about truffles is that they only grow in the wild. This means they are hard to control and that their supply is unpredictable.
This accounts for the incredibly high prices that are charged for truffles in France and indeed all over the world. It is also why they are considered to be gourmet products. There have been numerous attempts to cultivate truffles on farms, to little avail.

Originally, female pigs were used to dig up truffles. The truffle emits an odour akin to testosterone so the female pig would eagerly seek it out.
Truffle hunters eventually abandoned this practice as the pigs were damaging the truffle beds in their haste to dig up the truffle. There was also an issue with the pigs eating the truffles they unearthed.

Nowadays in France and in other countries, dogs are used in truffle hunts. The dogs are trained to follow the scent of the truffle and indicate where they are without digging them up and eating them.
In return for their efforts they are given a treat, meaning that the truffles remain untouched by the animals.

Generally, it requires a large team to find a sufficient number of truffles, and this also drives up the truffle prices.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINTER AND SUMMER TRUFFLES?
There are two main truffles in France: summer truffles and winter truffles. Winter truffles are the more aromatic of the two and are harvested from November through March. They tend to be at their peak in January. The winter black truffle occurs in Périgord, in the Dorgdogne region. It is the most highly sought after truffle and can fetch astronomically high prices. In January, chefs often start jarring winter truffles so they can be used later on in the year, beyond the end of the season.

The summer truffle is far cheaper than the winter truffle and is harvested between the months of June and August. But, just because it is easier on the wallet doesn’t necessarily mean it is worse. There are some chefs who won’t give the summer truffle a second glance because it lacks the intense aroma of its winter sibling. However, those who do, recognize its versatility. Chefs have far more options in terms of how they can incorporate the summer truffle into different dishes, as the question of price is far less of a concern.

Often it is shaved onto salads or other dishes, as it subtly enhances the flavors already present in the meal. The summer truffle may be less fragrant than the winter truffle, but it can still do the job.