Events in Lou Calen
Lou Calen invites you to enjoy our unique and fun events based within the hotel’s three hectare estate in the heart of Cotignac, whether at the Jardin Secret restaurant, Didier’s wine bar, or the microbrewery bar, La Tuf. Engage with the many aspects of true Provencal living through these fun experiences, all the while meeting local people and discovering local practices.
Upcoming events
Saturday, July 9th
Botanical Walk with Vera
Vera, local to the region since birth, gives a botanical tour of the Lou Calen gardens. Guided by her studies in phytotherapy and herboristry, Vera shares her passion for every wild plant. Join her to explore and discover these celebrated Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues.
Location : Lou Calen
Time : 9:30 to 11:30
Cost : 25€
Reservation : Limited places, booking is obligatory
Friday, July 15th
Lavender Spindle Workshop
Come and learn about the Provençal tradition of lavender spindle-crafting. Get stuck in to this charming craft that encloses the pretty lavender flowers inside their stems to preserve their wonderful scent. Discover the different varieties of lavender, how to gather them, how to sort them, and how to weave it all together with a beautiful ribbon.
Location : Lou Calen
Time : 10:00 to 12:00
Cost : 40€
Reservation : Limited places, booking is obligatory
Wednesday, July 27th
Plant Painting Workshop
Did you know that you can make ink from vegetables and their tinctorial plants? Anna Piquardt is here to show you how. Come and learn how to transform well-known plants into watercolour paints, and then decorate your very own postcard with them. A wonderfully creative and personalised gift for a loved one!
Location : Lou Calen
Time : 10:00 to 12:00
Cost : 40€
Reservation : Limited places, booking is obligatory
Wednesday, August 10th
Lavender Spindle Workshop
Come and learn about the Provençal tradition of lavender spindle-crafting. Get stuck in to this charming craft that encloses the pretty lavender flowers inside their stems to preserve their wonderful scent. Discover the different varieties of lavender, how to gather them, how to sort them, and how to weave it all together with a beautiful ribbon.
Location : Lou Calen
Time : 10:00 to 12:00
Cost : 40€
Reservation : Limited places, booking is obligatory
Wednesday, August 24th
Lavender Spindle Workshop
Come and learn about the Provençal tradition of lavender spindle-crafting. Get stuck in to this charming craft that encloses the pretty lavender flowers inside their stems to preserve their wonderful scent. Discover the different varieties of lavender, how to gather them, how to sort them, and how to weave it all together with a beautiful ribbon.
Location : Lou Calen
Time : 10:00 to 12:00
Cost : 40€
Reservation : Limited places, booking is obligatory
9th to 11th, September
Classic in Provence
For three days the Lou Calen restaurants, bars and gardens will be transformed into open-air stages to welcome the four winners of the Fanny Mendelssohn Prize: Dorothea Schupelius on violin, Jelizaveta Vasiljeva on piano, Tamas Palfalvi on trumpet and Dominik Wagner on double bass.
Location : Lou Calen
Cost : 6 performances over 3 days
Between 20€ and 75€ per ticket
Reservation : Limited places, booking is obligatory
6th to 9th, October
Yoga & Ayurveda Retreat
Les Merveilles return to Lou Calen for a new programme will focus on reconnecting with the natural elements earth, water. Practices of yoga, specialist treatments, hikes in the nature… Take advantage of this 4 day / 3 night retreat to restore yourself and bring yourself into autum.
Location : Lou Calen
Cost : From 760€ without accommodation,
1360€ per person in a classic room
Reservation : Limited places, booking is obligatory
Previous events
Lobster the Superstar!
Introducing the lobster, the king of all crustaceans, thanks to its rich and wonderful taste. Our chef Benoit Witz rustles up this delicious pasta dish every Monday, refined with traditional Provençal herbs. Consider setting your working week off to a flying start with this Monday lunchtime treat!
Location : Jardin Secret restaurant
Salsa Party
Come and see the Jardin Secret’s rooftop transform into a dance floor. Spend a fabulous evening learning some fancy steps to Cuban rhythms with Guy, professional dance teacher, and get stuck in to the complementary tapas and drinks (soft drinks, punch, beer, and two glasses of wine)!
Location : Jardin Secret restaurant
Gua Sha Workshop
Gua Sha massage works with energy and focuses on lymphatic circulation, aiming to drain and clear out toxins while stimulating blood circulation. Charlène Bonifassi teaches you how to massage the skin for youth and how to use the various tools for the best health benefits.
Location : Lou Calen
Auvergne Cheese Evening
This evening is designed for all who celebrate good French cheese. Our chef Benoit Witz hosts Dominique Prugne – two-time world champion in the Tours international cheese festival – for an evening dedicated to fine Auvergne cheeses and the secrets behind the art of their cheesemaking.
Location : Jardin Secret restaurant
All Woman Day
Mayari, By Lara K and Kchoux brands look forward to welcoming you for an afternoon dedicated to women. On the programme you’ll find a clothing stall, a jewellery stall, a stall filled with holistic wellness products, a Gua Sha care package for the face as well as a makeover.
Location : Lou Calen
The Red Tent
Charlène Bonifassi invites you to join her women’s circle to celebrate the woman’s word. Oracle print designs, breathing exercises, meditation, discussions over ‘blockages’, tea tasting, and much more. Escape your everyday and share your story in a sacred and welcoming space.
Location : Lou Calen
Wine & Dine Evening
BURGUNDY WINE – A wine merchant for 30 years, Didier Romieux has selected the best of the best from Burgundy country. In collaboration with our chef Benoit Witz, he has put together this fantastic evening of delicious food and fine wines sure to delight every pallet.
Location : Jardin Secret restaurant
Yoga Retreat
Find equilibrium for mind and body through yoga; this enriching retreat is lead by Les Merveilles who regularly run holistic, healing and nomadic getaways. Take four days and three nights to reset, recharge and reawaken within the beautiful energy of the spring.
Location : Lou Calen
Japanese fusion cuisine
Susana Iwase was born in Tokyo, the sushi capital, and brings her experience of traditional Japanese cooking blended with her years of working in Californian restaurants. She will collaborate with Chef Benoit Witz to bring Le Jardin Secret an evening of Japanese fusion.
Location : Jardin Secret restaurant
World food : menu Louisiana
Benoit Witz welcomes guest chef Patrick Périé for a themed evening with a four course menu. With 40 years’ experience across the world, ten of which were spent at the Méridien in New Orléans, this celebrated French chef is back in his homeland and ready to serve a spectacular meal full of delicious discoveries.
Location : Jardin Secret restaurant
Beers and Books
Annick Tacquet-Assoignons, psychologist and writer based in Cotignac, discusses his book “I’m In Pain… Am I Getting Old?” exploring how to age in all the best ways. Come and enjoy a beer and chat about books whatever your age.
Location : Le Tailleur de Bière
The Truffle Harvest
During truffle season, from now until February, the Canut family invites you to learn truffle hunting in their fields in Aups every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Accompanied by their specialist truffle dogs, you’ll join the “black diamond” harvest and even have the chance to taste what you’ve found!
Location : Aups
Precious Truffles in Aups
Join Didier Romieux at the truffle market in Aups every Thursday from now until February. He will teach you how to select the best truffles and also how to taste them. Optional visit to the must-see “Maison de la Truffe”.
Location : Aups
The Olive Harvest
Lou Calen’s gardeners invite you to participate in the olive harvest each morning at the estate. Matured olives may be used in cooking but can also be transformed into so-called “fruity black oil|. Discover the secrets behind this emblematic culture of Provence.
Location : Lou Calen
Beer and Books
A literary evening with a writer and celebratory beers! Rene Fregni is a former psychiatric nurse who led writing workshops at the Baumettes prison in Marseille, and now a celebrated author of fifteen books which explore his travels and his experiences with the prison inmates.
Location : Le Tailleur de Bière
Dinner with Nadine Sette
One of Cotignac’s best known chefs joins Benoit Witz behind the stoves for a richly collaborative culinary evening. Nadine brings her passion for cooking with Italian influences to the table, and together the two prestigious chefs will craft delicious and unexpected Mediterranean dishes.
Location : Jardin Secret restaurant
Gathering Saffron
Nestled in the midst of the restanques a unique spice grows naturally. In our region, flowering begins in October and lasts for a month while the harvest reaps rich rewards. Sabine and Jean will guide you and explore more herbs to ensure you fully understand the culture and nature of organic saffron growing.
Location : Le Safran du Cabanon
Dinner with Huguette Caren
Benoit Witz welcomes Huguette Caren, the previous owner of Lou Calen and valued guardian of special Provençal recipes, into his kitchen at the Jardin Secret. Huguette’s spectacular cooking contributed to the hotel’s famous reputation in the 70s, 80s and 90s. To keep this iconic legacy alive, Huguette has passed on all her secrets to our chef, and now for you to enjoy.
Location : Jardin Secret restaurant
Sunday Brunch
Our chef Benoit Witz and his team welcome you to a sumptuous brunch inspired by the rich tastes of autumn. Be tempted by our delicious dishes crafted from local produce, offering both sweet and savoury. Our idyllic setting is the ideal place to relax with friends or family on an easy autumnal Sunday.
Location : Jardin Secret restaurant
