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.

Friday, October 20th - Lunch

Three-courses menu - 58€

Pumpkin crème brûlée with mushrooms, quail’s egg and bacon bits 

Freshly-caught hake whitefish with shellfish, rice and seasoned with Cotignac saffron

Special desserts by Antonia 

Friday, October 20th - Dinner

Special menu "Fascinant Weekend" - Four-courses menu - 74 €

Apéritif treats and savoury bites
Pumpkin crème brûlée with mushrooms
Sea bream with shellfish
Tender Beef Wellington pastry with seasonal vegetables
Traditional apple and quince tart

Saturday, October 21st & Sunday, October 22nd - Lunch & Dinner

Three-courses menu - 58€

Marinated scallops pizza-style with onions and an autumnal salad

Freshly-caught fish OR  Roast beef with seasonal vegetables 

Apple and quince tart with homemade ice cream 

Monday, October 23th- Lunch

Three-course menu - 64€

Special seafood menu with lobster

Monday, October 23th- Dinner

Three-course menu - 58€

Game pie with chicken, foie gras and an autumnal garnish, with fresh scallops 

Sister in lamb with seasonal vegetables 

Tender chocolate cake 

Tuesday, October 24th- Lunch & Dinner

Three-courses menu - 58€

Benoit is back from the Cotignac's market. He will create delicious dishes sourced from the market.
Let's be surprised... !

Sunday, December 24th - Dinner

CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER - 95 €

A glass of champagne with savoury bites

Duck foie gras pastries with Cotignac quince

Sangria accompaniment 

Mediterranean sole with champagne jus 

Truffled veal cutlet with a winter garnish

Goat’s cheese rondelles with black truffle 

Traditional Christmas log with chestnuts and blueberries 

Coffee, tea, and sweet treats 

Monday, December 25th - Lunch

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH  - 85 €

A glass of champagne with savoury bites

Tender winter vegetables with a truffle vinegar 

Roasted scallops with parsnip and grated cacao 

Guinea fowl with capon, chestnut foie gras and a truffle purée 

Brie de Meaux cheese with mascarpone and black truffle 

Traditional Christmas log with caramelised apple 

Sunday, December 31st - Dinner

NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER - 115 €

A glass of champagne with savoury bites

Fresh lobster with a fine gelée and caviar

Mediterranean sea bass with root vegetables and traditional roast jus 

Tender venison with pastry and winter vegetables 

Brie de Meaux cheese with truffle and a plentiful salad 

Tangerine wafer slice with white chocolate 

Monday, January 1st - Lunch

NEW YEAR’S DAY LUNCH - 85 €

A glass of champagne with savoury bites

Hotpot with seasonal vegetables and a truffle sauce 
Puff pastry tart with scallops and a neat sauce 

Beef Wellington with mushrooms 

Camembert cheese with truffle and a winter salad

Chocolate hazelnut crunch Italian style 

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.

_____

Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Jardin Secret will be closed from the 5th of November dinner to the 14th of December. 

Open the 15th of December for lunch.

jardinsecret@loucalen.com

Lobster menu

EVERY MONDAY
12H - 14H

64,00€

excluding drinks

3-course menu

FRIDAY TO TUESDAY NOON
EVERY EVENING

58,00€

excluding drinks

4-course menu

FRIDAY TO TUESDAY NOON
EVERY EVENING

74,00€

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.

flamme

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

13 Rue de l'Araignée
83570 Cotignac
Our restaurant is closed for autumn season from November 6th to December 14th. Reopening December 15th for lunch. See you soon !