Le Bistrot by Lou Calen
1 cours Gambetta, Cotignac
Open every day, Le Bistrot welcomes you to its air-conditioned dining room, set beneath a large glass roof and opening onto a beautiful shaded terrace. On the chef’s plate, colour brings life to bistronomy, transporting you from Provence to Asia, via Italy. In the evening, meat lovers will appreciate the tenderness of the cuts matured on site, selected from local producers. Every Sunday, this tasty cuisine transforms into a plentiful, generous and friendly brunch.
Tasty cuisine... from here and everywhere!
Under the watchful eye of Benoît Witz, chef Yvan Franceschi creates a particular menu which he updates seasonally, inspired by the plentiful produce from the local region. Yvan’s cuisine, rooted in Provençal tradition, embraces inspiration from all around to reinvent the spirit of the Bistrot restaurant. Each evening, except on special event nights, guests can enjoy a selection of dry aged meats: generous cuts of at least 500g, just-seared and served with a seasonal garnish.
Group dining in Cotignac
The end of the year calls for gathering around a beautifully laid table. With family, friends or colleagues, enjoy a festive meal in our private dining room adjoining Le Bistrot. A seasonal menu and a cellar full of hidden gems: take time to celebrate the year gone by in the warmth of a Provençal home.
Sunday brunch
The smell of warm croissants, the sizzle of flame-grilled meats, the crisp bite of sea bream baked in a salt crust… Every Sunday from 11 am to 3pm, brunch takes on the air of a feast, with a generous buffet showcasing local produce and seasonal inspirations.
Yvan Franceschi reunites with his mentor Benoît Witz in Cotignac
Originally from Aix-en-Provence, Yvan Franceschi discovered early on the joys of transforming family cooking into a testing ground for the very best recipes. At 14, he chose to make cooking his profession and enrolled at the CFA (chef training school) in Saint-Maximin, where he learned the craft, rigour and discipline required to chef in the greatest establishments. At the age of 18, he crossed paths with Benoît Witz at the Abbaye de La Celle, under the guidance of Alain Ducasse. The young apprentice found in Benoit a mentor who would forever shape his vision of true refined cuisine. Yvan’s path continued alongside some of the greatest names in French gastronomy: Jean-Marc Banzo at the Villa Madie in Cassis, Laurent Lemal at the Hôtel Riberach in Bélesta, Philippe Saurel, whom he assisted in Bandol and then in Marseille, and finally Thierry Balligand, who entrusted him with the position of sous-chef at the Pigonnet ***** five-star restaurant in Aix-en-Provence.
Today, Yvan rejoins his mentor at the Bistrot restaurant at Lou Calen in Cotignac, where he expresses his craft through a simple and essentially authentic cuisine, faithful to the Provençal region and enriched with Italian and Thai culinary accents.
The art of flame-grilled cooking
In spring and summer, the wood-fired oven spits and crackles on the terrace, enjoying this element of masterful cooking. This is a treat for the senses! Matured meats and fresh fish are cooked up with with smoky tones and caramelised notes. To accompany these delicious mains, the chef has created a unique barbecue sauce, inspired by the history of Lou Calen estate: a subtle blend of pastis, maple syrup and beer, enhanced with a few ingredients that he still keeps secret!
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 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
Thursday 24 December
Le Bistrot puts on its festive finery for a cosy Christmas Eve dinner, in the spirit of a family feast. Chef Yvan Franceschi prepares a generous, indulgent menu: from the sea, Mediterranean sea bass and lobster Wellington; from the land, roast venison with earthy woodland flavours.
Location:
Schedule :
From 7 pm
Price:
95€ (4-course menu, 1 excluding drinks)
Booking:
Recommended
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.
