Creating memories
Every season, Lou Calen transforms into a true hub of discovery. In the stunning cliff-side setting of Cotignac, a delightful collection of visual artists, writers, musicians, chefs, and wellness practitioners come together to share their expertise and offer visitors exceptional experiences. There are workshops, concerts, exhibitions, literary events, and gastronomy events: each moment can become a sensory journey to discovery, shaped by the authentic soul of Provence and the unique energy of those who guide it.
Upcoming workshops & events
From 1 Dec. To 15 Mar.
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
Availability :
Saturday to Tuesday, 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Price:
35€/adulte, 20€/enfant, gratuit/-12ans
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 11 January
For lovers of good English grub and pub gourmet comfort food! Every second Sunday of the month, Lou Calen's Bistrot restaurant serves the traditional Sunday Roast: roast beef accompanied by all the trimmings: plentiful seasonal vegetables and a tasty sauce ate go with them.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
35€/adult; 15€/child (<12 years)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Tuesday 13 January
Tuesday is market day! What could be better than a gourmet pause with a platter of oysters and a crisp glass of white wine. Settle on the terrace, taking in the village’s finest view over Cours Gambetta, and let Cotignac’s joyful spirit carry you away.
Saturday 17 January
Therapist based in Correns, Oriane Mutabazi invites you to immerse yourself in a sound bath using musical instruments and the voice. This will be followed by mantra chanting which will establish and extend the benefits of deep relaxation throughout your being.
Saturday 17 January
Unleash your true creativity by making your own decorative floral wreath, timeless and beautiful. Guided by Cécile Dupont, you'll learn how to arrange dried seasonal flowers to create a unique and lasting piece that will add a natural and elegant touch to your home.
Location:
Schedule :
2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Price:
75€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 18 January
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Sunday 18 January
Treat your taste buds to a journey to the Orient. From Japan to China, from India to Thailand, the Bistrot celebrates traditional cuisines where spices reign supreme. A zen atmosphere, colorful dishes, and a spirit of escape… a round trip to Asia without leaving your seat.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
45€/adult ; 20€/child (<12 years old)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Tuesday 20 January
Tuesday is market day! What could be better than a gourmet pause with a platter of oysters and a crisp glass of white wine. Settle on the terrace, taking in the village’s finest view over Cours Gambetta, and let Cotignac’s joyful spirit carry you away.
Saturday 24 January
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
60€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 25 January
Mathieu Segret invites you to practice mindfulness. You will use wood carving as a means of relaxation and liberation. Each gesture, each sculpted form will nourish your relationship with yourself and nature. Your work will bear the imprint of this inner journey.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
95€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 25 January
How about a culinary getaway to Italy? On the last Sunday of each month, our chef prepares the very best of Italian cuisine: a generous antipasti board to share, delicious made-to-order pasta, and indulgent desserts. An irresistible invitation to savour la dolce vita.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
35€/adult ; 15€/child (<12 years)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Tuesday 27 January
Tuesday is market day! What could be better than a gourmet pause with a platter of oysters and a crisp glass of white wine. Settle on the terrace, taking in the village’s finest view over Cours Gambetta, and let Cotignac’s joyful spirit carry you away.
Sunday 1 February
Once a month, Le Bistrot transforms into a true winstub. With family or friends, guests gather around generous buffets of starters, main dishes and desserts—an homage to this beautiful region, proud of its convivial spirit and traditions. A breeze of Alsace drifts across Provence.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
35€/adult – 15€/child (-12 years old)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 7 February
Spiral basket-weaving craft is an ancestral technique which countryfolk have used for centuries here, in Provence, and made famous now. Julia Lebouc shares her artisanal know-how through the creation of a “secret box” basket made from wild straw.
Location:
Lou Calen
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
65€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 8 February
For lovers of good English grub and pub gourmet comfort food! Every second Sunday of the month, Lou Calen's Bistrot restaurant serves the traditional Sunday Roast: roast beef accompanied by all the trimmings: plentiful seasonal vegetables and a tasty sauce ate go with them.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
35€/adult; 15€/child (<12 years)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 14 February
Therapist based in Correns, Oriane Mutabazi invites you to immerse yourself in a sound bath using musical instruments and the voice. This will be followed by mantra chanting which will establish and extend the benefits of deep relaxation throughout your being.
Saturday 14 February
The chef brings their passion for local culinary delights by crafting refined dishes that will seduce with every bite. Our menu offers truffled vegetables, langoustines and chateaubriand to celebrate the most romantic evening of the year, where love is in the air as well as on the plate.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9 pm
Price:
120€ (1 glass of champagne included)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 14 February
The chef brings their passion for local culinary delights by crafting refined dishes that will seduce with every bite. Our menu offers scallops, Sisteron lamb and truffle-infused vegetables to celebrate the most romantic evening of the year, where love is in the air as well as on the plate.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 10 pm
Price:
75€ (1 glass of champagne included)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 15 February
Treat your taste buds to a journey to the Orient. From Japan to China, from India to Thailand, the Bistrot celebrates traditional cuisines where spices reign supreme. A zen atmosphere, colorful dishes, and a spirit of escape… a round trip to Asia without leaving your seat.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
45€/adult ; 20€/child (<12 years old)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 21 February
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
60€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 22 February
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Sunday 22 February
How about a culinary getaway to Italy? On the last Sunday of each month, our chef prepares the very best of Italian cuisine: a generous antipasti board to share, delicious made-to-order pasta, and indulgent desserts. An irresistible invitation to savour la dolce vita.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
35€/adult ; 15€/child (<12 years)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 28 February
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
60€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 1 March
Guided by Mathieu Segret, you will painstakingly sculpt a vase, scrape by scrape, using a kiridashi, a traditional Japanese knife. You will learn different sculpting gestures and leave with your wood creation as well as with the tools needed to carve wood at home should you wish to.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
95€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 1 March
Once a month, Le Bistrot transforms into a true winstub. With family or friends, guests gather around generous buffets of starters, main dishes and desserts—an homage to this beautiful region, proud of its convivial spirit and traditions. A breeze of Alsace drifts across Provence.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
35€/adult – 15€/child (-12 years old)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 7 March
Spiral basket-weaving craft is an ancestral technique which countryfolk have used for centuries here, in Provence, and made famous now. Julia Lebouc shares her artisanal know-how through the creation of a “secret box” basket made from wild straw.
Location:
Lou Calen
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
65€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 8 March
Head for the bayous and the festive vibe of New Orleans. On the menu: a selection of starters to share, followed by a generous buffet inspired by Cajun and Creole traditions — gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish, po’boys… One Sunday a month, spice up your evening and break the routine!
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
45€/adult ; 20€/child (<12 years old)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 14 March
Therapist based in Correns, Oriane Mutabazi invites you to immerse yourself in a sound bath using musical instruments and the voice. This will be followed by mantra chanting which will establish and extend the benefits of deep relaxation throughout your being.
Sunday 15 March
For lovers of good English grub and pub gourmet comfort food! Every second Sunday of the month, Lou Calen's Bistrot restaurant serves the traditional Sunday Roast: roast beef accompanied by all the trimmings: plentiful seasonal vegetables and a tasty sauce ate go with them.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
35€/adult; 15€/child (<12 years)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
From 15 Mar. To 20 Mar.
A six-day immersion into leadership and somatic practices to bring more creativity and power into your work, with Elisa Haggarty and Kim Buisson. This retreat is for women navigating threshold moments and who are holding both inner and outer worlds.
Saturday 21 March
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
60€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 22 March
Treat your taste buds to a journey to the Orient. From Japan to China, from India to Thailand, the Bistrot celebrates traditional cuisines where spices reign supreme. A zen atmosphere, colorful dishes, and a spirit of escape… a round trip to Asia without leaving your seat.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
45€/adult ; 20€/child (<12 years old)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 22 March
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Saturday 28 March
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
60€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 29 March
Mathieu Segret invites you to practice mindfulness. You will use wood carving as a means of relaxation and liberation. Each gesture, each sculpted form will nourish your relationship with yourself and nature. Your work will bear the imprint of this inner journey.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
95€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 29 March
How about a culinary getaway to Italy? On the last Sunday of each month, our chef prepares the very best of Italian cuisine: a generous antipasti board to share, delicious made-to-order pasta, and indulgent desserts. An irresistible invitation to savour la dolce vita.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
35€/adult ; 15€/child (<12 years)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 4 April
Spiral basket-weaving craft is an ancestral technique which countryfolk have used for centuries here, in Provence, and made famous now. Julia Lebouc shares her artisanal know-how through the creation of a “secret box” basket made from wild straw.
Location:
Lou Calen
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
65€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 5 April
Head for the bayous and the festive vibe of New Orleans. On the menu: a selection of starters to share, followed by a generous buffet inspired by Cajun and Creole traditions — gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish, po’boys… One Sunday a month, spice up your evening and break the routine!
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
45€/adult ; 20€/child (<12 years old)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 11 April
Therapist based in Correns, Oriane Mutabazi invites you to immerse yourself in a sound bath using musical instruments and the voice. This will be followed by mantra chanting which will establish and extend the benefits of deep relaxation throughout your being.
Sunday 12 April
For lovers of good English grub and pub gourmet comfort food! Every second Sunday of the month, Lou Calen's Bistrot restaurant serves the traditional Sunday Roast: roast beef accompanied by all the trimmings: plentiful seasonal vegetables and a tasty sauce ate go with them.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
35€/adult; 15€/child (<12 years)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 18 April
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
60€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 19 April
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Sunday 19 April
Treat your taste buds to a journey to the Orient. From Japan to China, from India to Thailand, the Bistrot celebrates traditional cuisines where spices reign supreme. A zen atmosphere, colorful dishes, and a spirit of escape… a round trip to Asia without leaving your seat.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
45€/adult ; 20€/child (<12 years old)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 25 April
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
60€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 26 April
Guided by Mathieu Segret, you will painstakingly sculpt a vase, scrape by scrape, using a kiridashi, a traditional Japanese knife. You will learn different sculpting gestures and leave with your wood creation as well as with the tools needed to carve wood at home should you wish to.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
95€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 26 April
How about a culinary getaway to Italy? On the last Sunday of each month, our chef prepares the very best of Italian cuisine: a generous antipasti board to share, delicious made-to-order pasta, and indulgent desserts. An irresistible invitation to savour la dolce vita.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
35€/adult ; 15€/child (<12 years)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Past workshops & events
Saturday 10 January
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
60€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Tuesday 6 January
Tuesday is market day! What could be better than a gourmet pause with a platter of oysters and a crisp glass of white wine. Settle on the terrace, taking in the village’s finest view over Cours Gambetta, and let Cotignac’s joyful spirit carry you away.
Thursday 1 January
On the first evening of the year, we toast the Italian way at Le Bistrot! On the tables, colourful bruschette: pesto with seasonal vegetables, shellfish and seafood, braised ham and confit poultry… A generous and joyful evening to extend the festive spirit. Buon anno a tutti!
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
40€ (excluding drinks)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Thursday 1 January
Welcome the New Year with your loved ones over a festive brunch at the Bistrot ! Generous sweet and savoury buffets, exceptional produce and indulgent dishes from our chefs — a perfect way to extend the joy of New Year’s Eve and gather around a delicious table together.
Location:
Schedule :
11 am to 3 pm
Price:
65€ (including hot drinks and fruit juices)
Booking:
Restaurant fully booked
Wednesday 31 December
Le Bistrot sparkles to celebrate the year’s final night. Chef Yvan Franceschi has created a four-course menu where French cuisine embraces flavours from around the world. Aperitif in the Glasshouse to begin, followed by a dancing party to welcome 2026 with music.
Location:
Schedule :
From 8 pm
Price:
150€ (excluding drinks)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 28 December
When winter settles in, nothing beats a hearty raclette to warm up! The Bistrot invites you to a meltingly delicious and convivial evening by the fire, with that cosy mountain spirit. The perfect kind of Sunday night – indulgent, comforting and just the way we like it.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
35€/adult ; 15€/child (<12 years old)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Thursday 25 December
On Christmas night, we’re doing it again at Le Bistrot, with a delicious buffet to enjoy together. Bring your good vibes and your best Christmas jumper — no fear of looking silly, we’re counting on you! A joyful, colourful evening, like one last gift beneath the tree.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
40€ (excluding drinks)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Thursday 25 December
Santa Claus has been and gone, and now it’s time for lunch. A Provençal kir opens the meal before chef Yvan Franceschi orchestrates his three- or four-course menu of foie gras, langoustines and lamb, ending with the ultimate indulgence of a chestnut and blueberry Yule log.
Location:
Schedule :
12 pm to 2 pm
Price:
75€–85€ (3 or 4 courses, 1 Provençal kir)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Wednesday 24 December
In the old house of Jardin Secret, Christmas Eve is savoured by the fireside, a glass of champagne in hand. Chef Benoît Witz presents a five-course menu where black truffle, blue lobster and crispy capon precede a pear-praline yule log adorned with gold leaf.
Location:
Schedule :
From 8 pm
Price:
150€ (5 courses, 1 glass of Champagne)
Booking:
Restaurant fully booked
Wednesday 24 December
Le Bistrot dresses for the season to host a convivial Christmas Eve. A Provençal kir welcomes you before chef Yvan Franceschi unveils his menu: three or four courses for diners torn between Mediterranean sea bass with langoustines and a capon and foie gras Pithiviers.
Location:
Schedule :
From 8 pm
Price:
80€–95€ (3 or 4 courses, 1 Provençal kir)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 21 December
Treat your taste buds to a journey to the Orient. From Japan to China, from India to Thailand, the Bistrot celebrates traditional cuisines where spices reign supreme. A zen atmosphere, colorful dishes, and a spirit of escape… a round trip to Asia without leaving your seat.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
45€/adult ; 20€/child (<12 years old)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 20 December
Huguette Caren is back at the bookstore to sign her cookbook. A true ode to Provence and its culinary heritage, this collection of recipes not only invites you to get busy behind the stove, but also opens a door to the fascinating history of Lou Calen since the 1970s.
Sunday 7 December
Once a month, Le Bistrot transforms into a true winstub. With family or friends, guests gather around generous buffets of starters, main dishes and desserts—an homage to this beautiful region, proud of its convivial spirit and traditions. A breeze of Alsace drifts across Provence.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
35€/adult – 15€/child (-12 years old)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
From 5 Dec. To 20 Dec.
La Falaise Art Center celebrates the 10th anniversary of “Artistes en herbe,” an educational project with schools from Cotignac and nearby villages. This year, over fifty classes reinterpret Niki de Saint Phalle’s vibrant world through painting, sculpture, collage, and installation.
Location:
Days :
Tuesday to Saturday
Hours :
10am to 12:30pm and 2:30pm to 5pm
Price:
Free
Free access
Monday 1 December
Lou Calen kicks off the festive season in Cotignac! The hotel lights up on December 1st at 5:30 p.m. Want to experience the moment? Neighbours, friends and visitors, join us at O’Fadoli, the little bar on Cours Gambetta, to share a magical moment over a delicious mulled wine (on us).
