Jardin Secret Restaurant
13 rue de l'Araignée, Cotignac
In Cotignac, at the heart of the Lou Calen estate, Le Jardin Secret is housed in a former farmhouse surrounded by fertile land. Here, the kitchen garden leads the way: each morning, Benoît Witz draws inspiration from a freshly picked herb, a flower in bloom or a sun-ripened vegetable. Working closely with local producers, he creates a single daily menu built around carefully sourced meat and fish, alongside a vegetarian version in which vegetables take centre stage. An instinctive cooking that lets the flavours of Provence speak for themselves.
The Unique Menu
Cooked to order according to the day’s arrivals and harvests from the kitchen garden, the menu changes daily. Here, time is taken to cook properly and to gather around the table.
Benoît Witz: A Return to Essentials
Born in a village in the Vosges, Benoît first discovered cooking around the generous family tables of the farm where he grew up. He trained in some of France’s finest kitchens, alongside Paul Bocuse, Patrick Lenôtre and Alain Ducasse, before leading L’Hostellerie de l’Abbaye de la Celle and later becoming Executive Chef of the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo. In Cotignac, surrounded by unspoilt nature, he has rediscovered the freedom of honest ingredients. Working hand in hand with those who keep the local terroir alive, he creates a cuisine shaped by people and the rhythm of the seasons. A return to basics, where flavour is allowed to shine.
A Responsible Approach
Le Jardin Secret follows a thoughtful approach, favouring short supply chains and reducing waste. Benoît Witz works with carefully selected producers within a 60 km radius of Cotignac. This philosophy has been recognised with the Michelin Green Star, awarded in 2023, as well as the restaurant’s inclusion in the Guide Michelin 2026 selection. The Restaurant Engagé label and recognition from the Collège Culinaire de France further reflect a genuine commitment to the environment and the local economy.
A Story of Heritage
Benoît Witz’s meeting with Huguette Caren, former owner of Lou Calen, brought a precious culinary heritage into his kitchen. She shared the recipes that made the house famous in the 1970s, when Le Reclus was the hotel’s much-loved restaurant. That legacy lives on in A table in Provence: Recipes and Tales from Cotignac, Huguette’s recipe collection, available in the bookshop. Today, the chef brings them into dialogue with his own style: a Provençal cuisine faithful to tradition, produce and the seasons.
Events that might interest you
From 1 Jan. To 31 Dec.
The smell of warm croissants, the sizzle of flame-grilled meats, the crack of a sea bream’s salt crust… Every Sunday, Le Bistrot’s flavoursome cooking takes on the feel of a feast, with a generous buffet bringing together local produce and fresh culinary inspiration.
Location:
Day :
Sunday
Hours :
11 am à 3 pm
Price:
From 56€
Booking:
Recommended
From 13 Feb. To 31 Oct.
Every Saturday lunchtime, lobster takes centre stage. Hot or cold, simmered, sautéed or flame-grilled, Benoit Witz cooks it in line with the kitchen garden and market. A four-course set menu, renewed weekly, ending with creations from our pastry chef.
Location:
Day :
Saturday
Hours :
12 pm to 2 pm
Price:
85€ (excluding drinks)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 25 October
Lou Calen joins in the Cotignac Quince Festival! The village’s signature fruit features on Le Bistrot’s brunch buffet and in a new cocktail at O’Fadoli. Market, competitions, parade, concert… An autumn Sunday just as we like it, with good food and good cheer.
Location:
O'Fadoli :
11 am - 10 pm
Bistrot :
11 am - 3 pm
Price:
Brunch from 56€
Booking:
Recommended at Le Bistrot
Sunday 1 November
A Sunday to get moving and enjoy good food: once a month, former Olympic athlete Fabé Dia guides you through a Pilates session designed to strengthen your body and ease tension. Then it’s time for Le Bistrot’s generous buffet, to savour at your own pace.
Location:
Schedule :
11 am to 12 pm
Price:
Pilates only : 25€ ; Pilates + Brunch : 76€
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Friday 13 November
Night has fallen over Cotignac. From Cours Gambetta, Lou Calen’s Verrière glows in the candlelight. The piano awaits the talented José Roland Koffi for a recital devoted to film music. A magical evening is about to unfold, bringing together art and gastronomy.
Location:
Schedule :
Concert at 7pm, followed by dinner
Price:
75€ (concert + 3-course menu, excluding drinks)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 14 November
Medicinal plant, artists’ muse or notorious spirit? Vera, our herbalist, dedicates this new workshop to the fascinating world of absinthe. Discover its uses through the centuries and the secrets of its production before tasting two elixirs and exploring their full aromatic richness.
From 1 Dec. To 28 Feb.
The Canut family has been growing black truffles on their farm in Aups. Every winter Patrick and his daughter Lisa wander through their oak plantation, guided by their dogs, to harvest the truffle. Take part in the art of truffle hunting, before treating yourself to tasting your finds!
Location:
Aups
Days :
Saturday to Tuesday
Hours :
1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Price:
40€/adult, 25€/child, free/under 12s
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 6 December
A Sunday to get moving and enjoy good food: once a month, former Olympic athlete Fabé Dia guides you through a Pilates session designed to strengthen your body and ease tension. Then it’s time for Le Bistrot’s generous buffet, to savour at your own pace.
Location:
Schedule :
11 am to 12 pm
Price:
Pilates only : 25€ ; Pilates + Brunch : 76€
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Dining and Pool Day Pass
Lou Calen invites you into a Provençal oasis devoted to your wellbeing. From April to October, its Pool Day Passes combine access to the estate’s three swimming pools with lunch or dinner at one of its two restaurants. Treat yourself to a restful day of relaxation and culinary delights.
Join us
Nestled in the heart Cotignac in Provence, Jardin Secret invites you to enjoy exceptional food in an extraordinary setting.
The Lou Calen estate is located an hour away from Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, and 45 minutes away from the Gorges du Verdon.
