A Provence Wedding: Saying "I Do" in a Cotignac Olive Grove
A wedding in Provence is a fairytale dream for many brides. One imagines the golden Provençal light on white stone, long decorated tables, and the varying shades of green from cypresses, vines, and olive trees. The landscape sets the scene; the couple brings their own ideas, their traditions, tastes, and personal stories. This summer, Rachel and Ross chose Lou Calen to celebrate their wedding, from the humanist ceremony to the final dance. Surrounded by sixty of their closest loved ones, they envisioned a chic, rustic celebration – one deeply Provençal in spirit yet punctuated by Scottish traditions.
A Ceremony High Above Cotignac
Their love affair with Cotignac began long before their wedding. Hailing from Scotland, Rachel and Ross had stayed at Lou Calen several times, becoming regulars in the village and forging bonds with the locals. When planning their wedding, it was only natural that they chose this spot to gather their closest friends and family.
They exchanged their vows a little further up the hill, in a ceremony beside the Sanctuary of Notre-Dame-de-Grâces. From the heart of the village, the Lou Calen team guided the guests along the stony path up to the sanctuary. At the end of the path, the ceremony site appeared within an olive grove set across a series of terraced slopes along the hill. A local florist from Cotignac had added touches of pink, yellow, mauve, and orange; nearby, a small bar offered some Mirabeau rosé, some La Calisse white wine, and some local artisanal lemonade.
At 3pm, a Nissan Figaro appeared at the end of the path, bringing the bride Rachel and her father. Ross waited for her, surrounded by their loved ones. The kilts worn by the groom and his best man gave a distinct Scottish touch to the scene. Rachel stepped out of the car, took her father’s arm, and walked toward Ross alongside the sound of bagpipes. They exchanged their vows amidst the olive trees.
Once the final words were spoken, emotion gave way to a joyful procession. Surrounded by their guests, Rachel and Ross walked through the olive grove before hopping back into the Figaro and heading down to Lou Calen for the party. Back on Cours Gambetta, preparations for the rest of the day were already underway.
Back in the Heart of the Village for Drinks
As the newlyweds slipped away for a few photos in the streets of Cotignac, the guests gathered at O’Fadoli. The wedding party has moved from the hillside down to the village’s bustling heart; and from the bar’s terraces, the wedding party celebrate alongside life unfolding on Cours Gambetta.
At 6pm, the couple and their guests reunited for cocktails on the terrace of Le Bistrot, which had been reserved exclusively for the occasion. A band played an acoustic set as the first hors d’oeuvres circulated: tomato with feta cheese and watermelon; crispy cornflake crackers with eggplant and anchovy; and cheesy gougères. To drink – only Margaritas (chosen by Rachel and Ross) which added a tangy note to the aperitif. Guests mingled from table to table, reconnecting with a cousin, or a friend who’d travelled from afar, or a face glimpsed earlier among the olive trees. The aperitif hour extended itself, held on by the flow of conversation.
A guest sat down at the piano and played the opening notes of a song everyone knows. Soon, the newlyweds and their loved ones were singing along in unison – one of those perfect memories no schedule could ever plan for.
Dinner – then the Party
At 7:30pm, Rachel and Ross made their entrance to strong applause. The florist from Cotignac had decked out the Bistrot for the occasion, while the team has prepared every detail. The speeches began; with laughter, and the occasional tear wiped away. Then came dinner, prepared by Yvan Franceschi, the restaurant’s chef.
For the starter, guests chose between a multi-coloured tomato tartare with stracciatella and an olive tuile, or a prawn salad with basil and marinated peppers. For the main course, the duck breast was served with a Provençal vegetable slice and a rich jus, while the grilled sea bream camewith flame-seared vegetables and a simple sauce. A risotto primavera was offered as a vegetarian alternative.
The meal unfolded amidst speeches and musical interludes. Then, around 10pm, the showstopper appeared, the ‘pièce montée’ – a traditional tower of cream puffs – amongst a cloud of smoke, signalling the transition from dinner to the party. Guests then made their way to La Farandole, the venue reserved for grand celebrations. The band heard earlier on the terrace has shifted gears: it is time to dance! The first few hit the dance floor, others followed, and dinner conversations fell away to choruses sung in unison.
The party continues until 2am. Rachel and Ross envisioned a wedding that truly reflects who they are: elegant yet unpretentious, rustic and generous, and filledd from start to finish with the joy of being together.
Planning your wedding in Provence at Lou Calen
At Lou Calen, weddings are celebrated in many different ways, which is what makes the place so endearing. In the heart of Cotignac, the estate’s three hectares encompass a hotel, two restaurants, two bars, gardens, terraces, and event spaces – all offering the perfect setting for every moment of the occasion.
The estate’s solive grove typically hosts open-air secular ceremonies. Depending on the vision for the day, other options can be explored – such as the private (and larger olive grove chosen by Rachel and Ross. Those hoping for a religious ceremony can also opt for the Church of Saint-Pierre in the village centre.
After the vows, the celebration can continue over drinks on the terraces of the O’Fadoli bar or one of the restaurants, before dinner. At Le Jardin Secret – our Michelin selected restaurant – chef Benoît Witz creates dishes using local produce and the kitchen garden’s seasonal bounty. Beneath the large glass roof of Le Bistrot, Yvan Franceschi serves up generous Provençal cuisine that embraces flavours from both near and far. Here, the meal is not merely a pause between the ceremony and the party; it is one of the cherished memories guests take home with them.
Other venues offer the chance to set a different tone for the celebration. We can offer La Verrière, a glass-walled room which overlooks Cours Gambetta while opening onto the gardens. La Grange, a pavilion bathed in natural light, which could be ideal for the post-wedding day lunch or brunch. And, with its stone vaulting, bar, mezzanine, and spacious terrace, La TUF can accommodate up to 150 guests for a cocktail reception or a grand party. And for when the music needs to keep playing, La Farandole takes over, keeping the festivities going until 2am.
Then comes the night. Lou Calen’s 36 rooms and suites are situated on either the village side or the rural side of the property, with most guest rooms featuring a private terrace. Directly across from the estate, the La Falaise Hotel provides additional accommodation with nine more rooms, allowing the wedding couple to keep all their loved ones close by.
At Lou Calen, The special couple be free to envision a celebration that truly reflects who they are, while the team works discreetly behind the scenes to bring that vision to life.
Discover our event spaces and start imagining the wedding day of your dreams.
FAQ
Can the entire wedding take place at Lou Calen?
Can a non-religious ceremony be held in an olive grove?
Yes. The small olive grove in the heart of the estate typically hosts outdoor non-religious ceremonies. For larger guest lists, a private larger olive grove on the heights of Cotignac can also be considered, depending on the specific plans and conditions needed for access.
Can we have a religious ceremony in Cotignac?
Which spaces can host a reception, and what are their capacities?
Capacities vary depending on the location and the chosen format:
○ Jardin Secret: 60 seated or 120 standing for a cocktail reception;
○ Le Bistrot by Lou Calen: 100 seated or 120 standing for a cocktail reception;
○ O’Fadoli: 30 standing for a cocktail reception;
○ La TUF: 150 standing for a cocktail reception;
○ La Farandole: 150 standing for the dance party;
○ La Verrière: 100 standing for a cocktail reception;
○ La Grange: 60 seated or 120 standing for a cocktail reception.
How late can music be played?
At La Farandole, music can continue until 2:00am. The cut-off time is 10:30pm for all other locations.
Can guests stay overnight onsite?
What happens in the event of rain?
A backup plan is established in advance. Depending on the number of guests and the chosen layout, parts of the celebration can be held under cover in the Jardin Secret restaurant tent, or in La Grange, La Verrière, or La Farandole.
