The Jardin Secret restaurant invites you to its 200-year-old country house and garden nestled in the hills, vineyards and olive groves of Cotignac.

Guided by the passion of chef Benoit Witz, the cuisine of the Jardin Secret promotes naturally-sourced ingredients and a return to the simple and delicious. Every dish is inspired by local seasonal gastronomy so that guests can rediscover the taste of authentic Provence. Indulge in Chef Benoit’s inspired menu that changes daily according to the freshest ingredients of the season.

Monday, December 2nd - Lunch

Lobster menu - 64€

Special seafood menu with lobster

Monday, December 2nd - Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Tuesday, December 3rd - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

Back from the market in Cotignac, chef Benoit Witz cooks up a surprise menu using fresh seasonal produce.

Wednesday, December 4th - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Thursday, December 5th - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Friday, December 6th - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Saturday, December 7th - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Sunday, December 8th - Lunch

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Tuesday, December 24th - Christmas Eve

Special Christmas Eve menu - 110€ (excluding drinks)

Aperitif under the tent at 7pm

Delicious treats and a complementary glass of champagne!

Dinner from 8pm

Mushroom consommé soup, with marinated langoustine and a langoustine carpaccio, with black lentils

Fried duck foie gras with quince jam and sake

Flame-grilled scallops with sweet vanilla Jerusalem artichoke

Thick slice of matured beef with black truffle potato

Lemon yuzu and green melon sorbet

Crunchy Christmas log with chocolate and passionfruit

Sweet treats with coffee and tea

We can adapt the menu for any allergy or specific diet.

Some dishes might have a lot of success : if that happens, our Chef will offer a new suggestion.

_____

from the 25th of November to the 15th of December, Jardin Secret is open from monday lunch to sunday lunch

Jardin Secret is closed from January 13th to February 2nd.
jardinsecret@loucalen.com

3 or 4-course menu

NOON & EVENING

58€ / 74€

excluding drinks

Bistrot menu

ONLY AT LUNCHTIME

excluding weekends

35€

starter-main course or main course-dessert + water, tea or coffee

UNTIL DECEMBER 15TH

Lobster menu

EVERY MONDAY AT LUNCH

64€

excluding drinks

Having grown up on a small family farm in Alsace, Benoit developed a passion for both gardening and cuisine.

He then followed his vocation to the greatest kitchens in France under the direction of Paul Bocuse and Alain Ducasse, who went on to entrust Benoit with several of Ducasse’s prestigious restaurants in Provence and Monaco.

Seduced by the enchanting setting of Cotignac and Lou Calen’s exciting heritage, Benoit was content to return to the Var countryside and a newfound source of inspiration. Benoit enjoys working with local producers to ensure the highest quality cuisine. Benoit delights in combining flavours and textures to enhance simple yet significant seasonal ingredients.

Jardin Secret is dedicated to a well-researched ecological approach that prioritises short-circuit, zero-waste cuisine.

We are committed to working with carefully selected food producers in the region. Our menu includes fresh fruits and vegetables directly from our garden and greenhouse, as well as seasonal products from the Cotignac market. We offer a concise and generous menu that changes regularly, as well as themed meals and events such as concerts and other festivities.

The MICHELIN Green Star awarded in March 2023 attests to our commitment to eco-responsible gastronomy.

The Restaurant Engagé label (Motivated Restaurant) distinguishes restaurateurs that have taken a step towards an environmentally responsible approach.

The Jardin Secret restaurant is now recognised by the Culinary College of France for its action towards culinary diversity.

Benoit Witz meets Huguette Caren, marking the renaissance of the once renowned restaurant at Lou Calen.

Chef Benoit Witz was delighted to cook with Huguette Caren, esteemed former owner and chef of Lou Calen.

By sharing her precious recipes for which Lou Calen was famous, Huguette contributed towards restoring the heritage of this historic venue in Cotignac.

Upcoming events at Jardin Secret

Thursday November 28th

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a great start for the festive season, offering sharing moments and a friendly atmosphere. Chef Benoit Witz invites you to savour the traditional meal: turkey stuffed with chestnuts, Brussels sprouts and cranberry sauce. And for a sweet ending, try our unmissable pumpkin pie and pecan pie.

Monday, December 2nd - Lunch

Lobster menu - 64€

Special seafood menu with lobster

Monday, December 2nd - Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Tuesday, December 3rd - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

Back from the market in Cotignac, chef Benoit Witz cooks up a surprise menu using fresh seasonal produce.

Wednesday, December 4th - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Thursday, December 5th - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Friday, December 6th - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Saturday, December 7th - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Sunday, December 8th - Lunch

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Tuesday, December 24th - Christmas Eve

Special Christmas Eve menu - 110€ (excluding drinks)

Aperitif under the tent at 7pm

Delicious treats and a complementary glass of champagne!

Dinner from 8pm

Mushroom consommé soup, with marinated langoustine and a langoustine carpaccio, with black lentils

Fried duck foie gras with quince jam and sake

Flame-grilled scallops with sweet vanilla Jerusalem artichoke

Thick slice of matured beef with black truffle potato

Lemon yuzu and green melon sorbet

Crunchy Christmas log with chocolate and passionfruit

Sweet treats with coffee and tea

We can adapt the menu for any allergy or specific diet.

Some dishes might have a lot of success : if that happens, our Chef will offer a new suggestion.

_____

from the 25th of November to the 15th of December, Jardin Secret is open from monday lunch to sunday lunch

Location : Jardin Secret restaurant

Service : from 7pm to 9:30pm

Cost : 58€ (excluding drinks)

Reservation : Booking is mandatory

Sunday December 15th

Cooking Black Truffle with Benoit Witz

This cooking class will take place after a truffle hunting demonstration with specially-trained truffle dogs. Meet at 2pm at the Canut family’s farm in Aups (with your own vehicle), before meeting chef Benoit Witz at 4pm in the kitchen of the Jardin Secret restaurant to learn how to cook with black truffles.

Location: Aups, Jardin Secret

Schedule: 2pm to 6pm

Cost: 235€

Reservation : Booking is mandatory

From Dec. 24th to Jan. 1st

Festive Feasts

What if during this festive season you let us take care of you? Lou Calen opens the doors of its two restaurants to allow guests to fully enjoy the magic of a Christmas in Provence. The Chefs have crafted special menus with seasonal ingredients and dishes enhanced by the delights of the Provencal region.

Location : Jardin Secret & The Bistrot

Dates : 24, 25, 26, 31 Dec. & 1st January

Cost : from 95€ to 150€.

Reservation : Booking is mandatory

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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.

Jardin Secret restaurant

13 Rue de l'Araignée
83570 Cotignac
Opening hours
Monday
12pm - 2pm
7pm - 9pm
Tuesday
12pm - 2pm
7pm - 9pm
Wednesday
12pm - 2pm
7pm - 9pm
Thursday
12pm - 2pm
7pm - 9pm
Friday
12pm - 2pm
7pm - 9pm
Saturday
12pm - 2pm
7pm - 9pm
Sunday
12pm - 2pm