Creating memories
In the kitchens of Lou Calen, the local region and its produce comes to the fore. Chef Benoit Witz and his team explore seasonal foods with dishes that celebrate the bounty of Provence. Between the elegance of the Jardin Secret restaurant, awarded a Michelin green star, and the cheerful spirit of the Bistrot restaurant at Lou Calen, each meal becomes an experience where tradition and creativity meet. Furthermore, the tacos at the La TUF microbrewery, as well as the oysters and tapas at the O’Fadoli pastis bar, offer even more new gourmet experiences. Here at Lou Calen, dining is an art, and every meal a celebration!
Upcoming workshops & events
From 13 Feb. To 31 Dec.
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:
84€ (excluding drinks)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 18 July
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.
Thursday 23 July
A few acoustic guitar chords set the tone for the evening as Provence wines accompany the aperitif. At sunset, Patrick Périe and Benoît Witz host a convivial dinner among the vineyard rows, celebrating the generous spirit of traditional Provençal feasting.
Location:
Schedule :
From 8 pm
Price:
150€ (Provence wines included)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Wednesday 29 July
This summer, as dusk settles over Lou Calen, the big screen comes to life. After dinner at Le Bistrot, the evening continues with a screening of *A Good Year*, a sun-drenched comedy to watch, rewatch and share. An open-air cinema night where time happily slips away.
Location:
Schedule :
Dinner from 7:00 pm – Film at 9:30 pm
Price:
55€ (3-course menu + cinema)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 2 August
Move and eat well: two simple pleasures come together one Sunday a month at Lou Calen. A Pilates session with Fabé Dia, former Olympic athlete, awakens the body and releases tension, before enjoying the Bistrot’s generous buffet.
Location:
Schedule :
11 am to 12 pm
Price:
Pilates only : 25€ ; Pilates + Brunch : 76€
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Thursday 6 August
A few acoustic guitar chords set the tone for the evening as Provence wines accompany the aperitif. At sunset, Patrick Périe and Benoît Witz host a convivial dinner among the vineyard rows, celebrating the generous spirit of traditional Provençal feasting.
Location:
Schedule :
From 8 pm
Price:
150€ (Provence wines included)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Wednesday 12 August
This summer, as dusk settles over Lou Calen, the big screen comes to life. After dinner at Le Bistrot, the evening continues with a screening of *The Grand Budapest Hotel*, a whimsical comedy to watch, rewatch and share. An open-air cinema night where time happily slips away.
Location:
Schedule :
Dinner from 7:00 pm – Film at 9:30 pm
Price:
55€ (3-course menu + cinema)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Thursday 13 August
For this four-hands dinner, Benoît Witz welcomes chef Théo Sanchez around a shared idea: cooking the tree in its entirety. Through fermentation techniques, five tree species found on the estate reveal themselves on the plate through their myths, uses and ecosystem.
Location:
Schedule :
Please arrive at 7:30 pm
Price:
120€ (5-course) – Wine pairing: 30€
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Friday 14 August
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.
Thursday 20 August
A few acoustic guitar chords set the tone for the evening as Provence wines accompany the aperitif. At sunset, Patrick Périe and Benoît Witz host a convivial dinner among the vineyard rows, celebrating the generous spirit of traditional Provençal feasting.
Location:
Schedule :
From 8 pm
Price:
150€ (Provence wines included)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
From 4 Sep. To 5 Sep.
Monty Python legend Eric Idle is coming to Cotignac for a very special weekend. Open-air film screenings, a signing of his book Idle in Provence, an aperitif and dinner at Le Bistrot will mark this unique opportunity to meet the British comedian, who has been in love with the Var for more than fifty years.
Location:
Friday :
From 8.30 pm
Saturday :
From 3 pm
Price:
Friday 12€ & Saturday 68€
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 6 September
Move and eat well: two simple pleasures come together one Sunday a month at Lou Calen. A Pilates session with Fabé Dia, former Olympic athlete, awakens the body and releases tension, before enjoying the Bistrot’s generous buffet.
Location:
Schedule :
11 am to 12 pm
Price:
Pilates only : 25€ ; Pilates + Brunch : 76€
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 4 October
Move and eat well: two simple pleasures come together one Sunday a month at Lou Calen. A Pilates session with Fabé Dia, former Olympic athlete, awakens the body and releases tension, before enjoying the Bistrot’s generous buffet.
Location:
Schedule :
11 am to 12 pm
Price:
Pilates only : 25€ ; Pilates + Brunch : 76€
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Past workshops & events
Thursday 9 July
A few acoustic guitar chords set the tone for the evening as Provence wines accompany the aperitif. At sunset, Patrick Périe and Benoît Witz host a convivial dinner among the vineyard rows, celebrating the generous spirit of traditional Provençal feasting.
Location:
Schedule :
From 8 pm
Price:
150€ (Provence wines included)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Wednesday 8 July
This summer, as dusk settles over Lou Calen, the big screen comes to life. After dinner at Le Bistrot, the evening continues with a screening of Life Is Beautiful, a moving film to watch, rewatch and share. An open-air cinema night where time happily slips away.
Location:
Schedule :
Dinner from 7:00 pm – Film at 9:30 pm
Price:
55€ (3-course menu + cinema)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 5 July
Move and eat well: two simple pleasures come together one Sunday a month at Lou Calen. A Pilates session with Fabé Dia, former Olympic athlete, awakens the body and releases tension, before enjoying the Bistrot’s generous buffet.
Location:
Schedule :
11 am to 12 pm
Price:
Pilates only : 25€ ; Pilates + Brunch : 76€
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Friday 3 July
This summer, as dusk settles over Lou Calen, the big screen comes to life. After dinner at Le Bistrot, the evening continues with a screening of .with a screening of Prête-moi ta main, a comedy to watch, rewatch and share. An open-air cinema night where time happily slips away.
Location:
Schedule :
Dinner from 7:00 pm – Film at 9:30 pm
Price:
55€ (3-course menu + cinema)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 26 April
How about a culinary getaway to Italy? On the last Sunday of each month, our chef prepares the very best of Italian cuisine: a generous antipasti board to share, delicious made-to-order pasta, and indulgent desserts. An irresistible invitation to savour la dolce vita.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
35€/adult ; 15€/child (<12 years)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 19 April
Final Asian stop of the season: a journey to Laos, with Chef Patrick Perie in the kitchen. 5€ per person will be donated to the Baraka association to support the “Book Boat” — a solidarity project that carries books along the Mekong to children in remote villages.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
45€/adult ; 20€/child (<12 years old)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 12 April
For lovers of good English grub and pub gourmet comfort food! Every second Sunday of the month, Lou Calen's Bistrot restaurant serves the traditional Sunday Roast: roast beef accompanied by all the trimmings: plentiful seasonal vegetables and a tasty sauce ate go with them.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
35€/adult; 15€/child (<12 years)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 5 April
Spring arrives at the Bistrot for a generous and sun-filled Easter brunch. Huguette Caren, former owner of Lou Calen, joins the chefs in the kitchen, bringing a selection of Provençal hors d’oeuvres to celebrate this convivial occasion with family or friends.
Location:
Schedule :
11 am to 3 pm
Price:
From 56€/person
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 5 April
Set course for the flavors of New Orleans. Each month, a menu inspired by Cajun and Creole recipes: gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys, crawfish, fried chicken… A generous and aromatic cuisine born from the meeting of two culinary traditions that shape the identity of Louisiana.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
45€/adult ; 20€/child (<12 years old)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 7 March
Among Provence’s most flavoursome culinary traditions, the oursinade returns each winter along the majestic Côte Bleue, west of Marseille. Le Bistrot joins the celebration, showcasing sea urchin at centre stage through a special menu of seafood and house-made recipes.
Location:
Schedule :
12 pm to 3 pm
Price:
75€ (excluding drinks)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 1 March
Once a month, Le Bistrot transforms into a true winstub. With family or friends, guests gather around generous buffets of starters, main dishes and desserts—an homage to this beautiful region, proud of its convivial spirit and traditions. A breeze of Alsace drifts across Provence.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
35€/adult – 15€/child (-12 years old)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Tuesday 17 February
To celebrate Mardi Gras, the chef takes you to Louisiana, where this festival is a true symbol of joy and indulgence. From the Creole po’boy to Cajun-style fried chicken, each dish on this menu reflects the meeting of two culinary traditions that shape the region’s identity.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
45€ (excluding drinks)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 15 February
For Chinese New Year, Le Bistrot invites you to discover the culinary traditions of the Middle Kingdom. From starter to dessert, each dish reflects the authentic flavours of this ancestral celebration. Come celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse, a breath of passion and freedom.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
45€ (excluding drinks)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 14 February
The chef brings their passion for local culinary delights by crafting refined dishes that will seduce with every bite. Our menu offers scallops, Sisteron lamb and truffle-infused vegetables to celebrate the most romantic evening of the year, where love is in the air as well as on the plate.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9:30 pm
Price:
75€ (1 glass of champagne included)
Booking:
Restaurant fully booked
Saturday 14 February
The chef brings their passion for local culinary delights by crafting refined dishes that will seduce with every bite. Our menu offers truffled vegetables, langoustines and chateaubriand to celebrate the most romantic evening of the year, where love is in the air as well as on the plate.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 9 pm
Price:
120€ (1 glass of champagne included)
Booking:
Restaurant fully booked
