Creating memories
Here in Cotignac, local figures are keen to share their love of Provence with you. Lou Calen opens the doors to a sensory journey where nature and tradition intertwine at every turn. As the seasons go by, carefully orchestrated workshops and events bring together artists, craftspeople, well-being specialists and history buffs. With them, you’ll experience moments of sharing and escape, where traditional gestures and forgotten skills are revealed to make every stay an unforgettable Provençal immersion.
Upcoming workshops & events
From 29 Mar. To 31 May.
For the biennial celebration of Arts’Falaise, La Falaise Art Centre presents an eclectic exhibition where the creative diversity and creative originality work together to form a single whole, reflecting the incredible richness of expression coming from these up-and-coming contemporary artists.
Location:
Days :
Tuesday to Saturday
Hours :
10 am to 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm to 6 pm
Price:
4€
Free access
Sunday 30 March
How about a culinary getaway to Italy? The last Sunday of each month, our chef prepares the best of Italian cuisine. : an antipasti buffet with Mediterranean flavours, pasta to order, traditional artisanal breads and the usual desserts. This is an irresistible invitation to savour the dolce vita.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 10 pm
Price:
32€/adult – 15€/child-12 years old
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 5 April
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
85€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 12 April
Therapist based in Correns, Oriane Mutabazi invites you to immerse yourself in a sound bath using musical instruments and the voice. This will be followed by mantra chanting which will establish and extend the benefits of deep relaxation throughout your being.
Saturday 12 April
Markus A. Will will present his thriller The Dark Banker during a reading (in English) at the Lou Calen bookstore. This former financial journalist and investment banker first gained recognition with Bad Banker, his debut suspense novel, which became a bestseller in Switzerland.
Saturday 12 April
A collector of old works, Guillaume Ferroni breathes new life to forgotten liqueur recipes. Founder of the Maison Ferroni, Guillaume invites you to discover, through various tastings, his collection of Marseille rhums - one of the oldest emblems of Marseille, before the arrival of pastis!
Sunday 13 April
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Sunday 13 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 meat accompanied by all the trimmings: plentiful seasonal vegetables and a tasty sauce ate go with them.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 10 pm
Price:
30€/adult; 15€/child (<12 years)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 19 April
Spiral basket-weaving craft is an ancestral technique which countryfolk have used for centuries here, in Provence, and made famous now. Julia Lebouc shares her artisanal know-how through the creation of a “secret box” basket made from wild straw.
Location:
Lou Calen
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
65€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 26 April
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
55€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 27 April
Guided by Mathieu Segret, you will painstakingly sculpt a vase, scrape by scrape, using a kiridashi, a traditional Japanese knife. You will learn different sculpting gestures and leave with your wood creation as well as with the tools needed to carve wood at home should you wish to.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
95€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 27 April
How about a culinary getaway to Italy? The last Sunday of each month, our chef prepares the best of Italian cuisine. : an antipasti buffet with Mediterranean flavours, pasta to order, traditional artisanal breads and the usual desserts. This is an irresistible invitation to savour the dolce vita.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 10 pm
Price:
32€/adult – 15€/child-12 years old
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 3 May
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
85€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 11 May
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 meat accompanied by all the trimmings: plentiful seasonal vegetables and a tasty sauce ate go with them.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 10 pm
Price:
30€/adult; 15€/child (<12 years)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 17 May
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
55€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 18 May
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Saturday 24 May
Therapist based in Correns, Oriane Mutabazi invites you to immerse yourself in a sound bath using musical instruments and the voice. This will be followed by mantra chanting which will establish and extend the benefits of deep relaxation throughout your being.
Sunday 25 May
How about a culinary getaway to Italy? The last Sunday of each month, our chef prepares the best of Italian cuisine. : an antipasti buffet with Mediterranean flavours, pasta to order, traditional artisanal breads and the usual desserts. This is an irresistible invitation to savour the dolce vita.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 10 pm
Price:
32€/adult – 15€/child-12 years old
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 31 May
Spiral basket-weaving craft is an ancestral technique which countryfolk have used for centuries here, in Provence, and made famous now. Julia Lebouc shares her artisanal know-how through the creation of a “secret box” basket made from wild straw.
Location:
Lou Calen
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
65€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 7 June
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
85€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 14 June
Therapist based in Correns, Oriane Mutabazi invites you to immerse yourself in a sound bath using musical instruments and the voice. This will be followed by mantra chanting which will establish and extend the benefits of deep relaxation throughout your being.
Sunday 15 June
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Saturday 21 June
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
55€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 28 June
Spiral basket-weaving craft is an ancestral technique which countryfolk have used for centuries here, in Provence, and made famous now. Julia Lebouc shares her artisanal know-how through the creation of a “secret box” basket made from wild straw.
Location:
Lou Calen
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
65€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 29 June
How about a culinary getaway to Italy? The last Sunday of each month, our chef prepares the best of Italian cuisine. : an antipasti buffet with Mediterranean flavours, pasta to order, traditional artisanal breads and the usual desserts. This is an irresistible invitation to savour the dolce vita.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 10 pm
Price:
32€/adult – 15€/child-12 years old
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 5 July
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
85€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 6 July
Therapist based in Correns, Oriane Mutabazi invites you to immerse yourself in a sound bath using musical instruments and the voice. This will be followed by mantra chanting which will establish and extend the benefits of deep relaxation throughout your being.
Saturday 19 July
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
55€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 20 July
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Saturday 26 July
Spiral basket-weaving craft is an ancestral technique which countryfolk have used for centuries here, in Provence, and made famous now. Julia Lebouc shares her artisanal know-how through the creation of a “secret box” basket made from wild straw.
Location:
Lou Calen
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
65€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 2 August
Therapist based in Correns, Oriane Mutabazi invites you to immerse yourself in a sound bath using musical instruments and the voice. This will be followed by mantra chanting which will establish and extend the benefits of deep relaxation throughout your being.
Saturday 9 August
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
85€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 17 August
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Saturday 23 August
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
55€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 30 August
Spiral basket-weaving craft is an ancestral technique which countryfolk have used for centuries here, in Provence, and made famous now. Julia Lebouc shares her artisanal know-how through the creation of a “secret box” basket made from wild straw.
Location:
Lou Calen
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
65€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 31 August
Therapist based in Correns, Oriane Mutabazi invites you to immerse yourself in a sound bath using musical instruments and the voice. This will be followed by mantra chanting which will establish and extend the benefits of deep relaxation throughout your being.
Saturday 6 September
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
85€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 13 September
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
55€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 20 September
Therapist based in Correns, Oriane Mutabazi invites you to immerse yourself in a sound bath using musical instruments and the voice. This will be followed by mantra chanting which will establish and extend the benefits of deep relaxation throughout your being.
Sunday 21 September
Are you interested in learning about wild plants? Vera Schütz, a native of the country, takes you on a tour of Lou Calen’s gardens to discover Provençal plants and their forgotten virtues. After studying phytotherapy and herbalism, she shares all her knowledge about wild plants.
Saturday 27 September
Spiral basket-weaving craft is an ancestral technique which countryfolk have used for centuries here, in Provence, and made famous now. Julia Lebouc shares her artisanal know-how through the creation of a “secret box” basket made from wild straw.
Location:
Lou Calen
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
65€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 4 October
Sandra Dugenet models, sculpts and engraves using earth, stone or wood. While she allows herself to be guided by the material, she inspired by human beings and their philosophy. You will learn the principles and techniques of sculpture by creating a piece using Provence clay.
Location:
Schedule :
9 am to 1 pm
Price:
85€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 18 October
Provence is an inexhaustible source of creativity, where Gilles Dugenet invites you to dive in and find your inspiration. Using simple drawing and painting techniques, the artist will encourage you to create a series of small drawings and paintings in a sketchbook, that can be cherished long.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
55€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Past workshops & events
Sunday 23 March
Mathieu Segret invites you to practice mindfulness. You will use wood carving as a means of relaxation and liberation. Each gesture, each sculpted form will nourish your relationship with yourself and nature. Your work will bear the imprint of this inner journey.
Location:
Schedule :
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Price:
95€ (material provided)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 22 March
Dive into this experience alongside the ancestral know-how of Lolita, founder of the Sentema Distillery. She will explore the many secrets of making natural liqueurs based on organic eaux-de-vie from Provence, and then lead a tasting that will awaken all your thirst-quenching senses.
Saturday 15 March
Born in the heart of rural Provence, Jéromine Dalmasso drew from her country bumpkin experiences to write her vibrant and emotional debut novel. With a sincere and evocative pen, she immerses us in her universal quest to find identity and true fulfillment.
Tuesday 4 March
To celebrate Mardi Gras, Chef Patrick Périé whisks you away Louisiana. This holiday is a true symbol of joy and gluttony. From gumbo to jambalaya, each delicious dish on this menu embodies the authentic flavours of Cajun and Creole cuisine, so typical of the region.
Location:
Schedule :
7 pm to 10 pm
Price:
58€ (excluding drinks)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 2 March
This cooking class will take place after a truffle hunting demonstration with specially-trained truffle dogs. Meet at 2pm at the Canut family’s farm in Aups (with your own vehicle), before meeting chef Benoit Witz at 4pm in the kitchen of the Jardin Secret restaurant.
Location:
Schedule :
2 pm to 6 pm
Price:
235€
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Sunday 23 February
A traditional dish enjoyed across many cultures, a good pie combines deliciousness and decent know-how. Under the guidance of Chef Benoit Witz, learn how to work the dough, concoct tasty fillings and master the art of a crispy pastry with tender insides.
Location:
Schedule :
4 pm to 6 pm
Price:
120€
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 22 February
‘Oursinade’ is one of the most important culinary traditions of Provence. Every winter, a series of culinary gatherings takes place along the majestic Côte Bleue, from Marseille to Martigues. Le Bistrot is joining the celebration by shining their culinary spotlight on the sea urchin for a buffet.
Location:
Schedule :
12 pm to 3 pm
Price:
75€ (white wine included)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 22 February
It was a surprise to Patricia Ortelli, a former student of the École du Louvre, that she became a winemaker. At the age of 30, she decided to acquire an abandoned vineyard: Domaine de la Calisse. She will be signing her book, an inspiring tale of a committed woman.
Sunday 16 February
Ideal for accompanying meats or as the star of any vegetarian dish, root vegetables lend themselves to many creative interpretations. Discover how to combine them harmoniously, and explore slow cooking that reveals the best of their texture and depth.
Location:
Schedule :
4 pm to 6 pm
Price:
120€
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Friday 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, saffron, squab, foie gras and truffles 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 10 pm
Price:
74€ (excluding drinks)
Booking:
Mandatory, limited availability
Saturday 1 February
Let the gorgeous menu transport you to the heart of the culinary traditions of Asia. From starter to dessert, each dish delights with the authentic flavours of this ancestral festival. Come and celebrate the beginning of the Chinese year of the Wood Snake, the symbol of a new start!
Saturday 28 December
With her rich experience in the field of art, Sophie Anais Sanderson guides her students to develop their artistic flair through the craft of drawing. During her workshop, she will teach the basics of drawing as well as a study into how to create volume by using different forms of collage.
From 24 Dec. To 1 Jan.
What if during this festive season you let us take care of you? Lou Calen opens the doors of its two restaurants to allow guests to fully enjoy the magic of a Christmas in Provence. The Chefs have crafted special menus with seasonal ingredients and and Provencal delights.
Saturday 21 December
A nostalgic wind full of Provençal flavours is blowing through Cotignac with Huguette Caren’s book. A true ode to Provence and its culinary heritage, this collection of recipes not only invites you to get busy behind the stove, but also opens a door to the fascinating history of Lou Calen.
Saturday 14 December
A writer from Marseille, René Frégni explores the darkness of mankind against the light of Mediterranean landscapes through his fifteen novels. He will join us to present six of his literary works, filled with travel, humanity and poetry, followed by a booksigning session.
