Our Greatest Summer Events
White Parties in the Vineyards
6 and 20 August 2026
At golden hour, guests gather under the tent for an aperitif accompanied by the gentle sound of an acoustic guitar, before taking their seats between the rows of grapevines for a gourmet dinner inspired by traditional, large-scale Provençal feasts.
Gathered around the brasero (fire pit), our chef Benoît Witz joins forces with his friend Patrick Périe — a chef with an international background spanning Bangkok, Beijing, New Orleans, and Yangon.
Together, they have created a generous feast cooked over an open flame: monkfish wrapped in fig leaves, bone-in rib of beef with bone marrow toast, crispy pork belly, grilled potatoes and vegetables.
On 6th August, the MAXISWING duo will provide the evening’s soundtrack with a repertoire blending jazz, guitar, and accordion. On 20th August, Les Bérets Gris will take their turn, performing traditional French songs accompanied by guitar.
For this timeless evening, guests are invited to dress entirely in white.
Four-Hands Gourmet Dinners at Le Jardin Secret
13 August & 19 September 2026
In the kitchens of Le Jardin Secret, Benoît Witz welcomes chef Théo Sanchez, united by their shared idea: cooking the ‘tree’ in its entirety. Roots, bark, sap, buds, leaves, flowers, and fruits will become elements to be rooted out, transformed, and celebrated through culinary storytelling.
A fermentation specialist, chef Théo Sanchez creates contemporary cuisine in which this technique reveals unexpected flavours and breathes new life into the often-overlooked parts of plants.
Together, they have devised a five-course menu centered on five trees found on the estate. Each dish explores the trees’ uses, their symbolism, and the detail of their ecosystems, offering an interpretation of the Provençal landscape that is as sensitive as it is delicious.
These are two unmissable gastronomic events: Thursday, 13th August (menu available), and Saturday, 19th September – this is a final gourmet evening to wrap up Lou Calen’s culinary season.
Bistrot Dinners with Cinema Under the Stars
29 July & 12 August 2026
In support of the Les Toiles du Sud festival, Lou Calen rolls out the big screen at dusk. Four Dinner & Cinema evenings will invite guests to enjoy a film after they’ve enjoyed their dessert.
Chef Yvan Franceschi prepares a three-course menu, offering a choice of two options for the starter, main course, and dessert. True to the Bistrot’s spirit, his cooking highlights seasonal produce in generous, sun-kissed dishes.
For the open-air screenings, the films were selected for their broad appeal across generations, ranging from heartwarming comedies to contemporary classics. Following two early-summer screenings, A Good Year – Ridley Scott’s warm comedy – will be shown on 29th July, which charmingly celebrating the landscapes, wines, and art of living of Provence. On 12th August the setting shifts to The Grand Budapest Hotel and its whimsical yet refined world created by Wes Anderson, now a modern cinema classic.
A Special Weekend with Eric Idle
4 & 5 September 2026
The first weekend in September, Lou Calen and Les Toiles du Sud festival are teaming up to host a legendary figure of British comedy: Eric Idle.
A comedian, actor, author, musician, and member of Monty Python, he will be presenting “Idle in Provence” a book in which he recounts, with humour and sensitivity, his deep connection to the Var region, where he has a home and has enjoyed spending time for over fifty years.
Designed as an opportunity to connect with the public, the weekend combines film screenings, book signings, and fine dining. On Friday evening, Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life will be screened at the Théâtre du Rocher, attended by producer John Goldstone, followed by a book signing session.
On Saturday, Eric Idle will meet readers at the Librairie de Lou Calen, followed by drinks at La Verrière, dinner at Le Bistrot, and a screening of Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl. A fantastic opportunity to meet this extraordinary man.
