The Jardin Secret restaurant invites you to its 200-year-old country house and garden nestled in the hills, vineyards and olive groves of Cotignac.

Guided by the passion of chef Benoit Witz, the cuisine of the Jardin Secret promotes naturally-sourced ingredients and a return to the simple and delicious. Every dish is inspired by local seasonal gastronomy so that guests can rediscover the taste of authentic Provence.

Indulge in Chef Benoit’s inspired menu that changes daily according to the freshest ingredients of the season.

Monday, October 27th - Lunch

Lobster menu - 64€

Special seafood menu with lobster

Monday, October 27th - Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Tuesday, October 28th - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

Back from the market in Cotignac, chef Benoit Witz cooks up a surprise menu using fresh seasonal produce.

Friday, November 1st - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Saturday, November 2nd- Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Sunday, November 3rd - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Thursday, November 28th - Lunch & Dinner

Special Thanksgiving menu - 58€

Cream of mushroom soup, scallop quenelle, soy emulsion

Turkey stuffed with chestnuts, corn cake, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce

Pecan and pumpkin pie

Coffee brulot

Christmas Eve

Special Christmas Eve menu - 110€ (excluding drinks)

Aperitif under the tent at 7pm

Delicious treats and a complementary glass of champagne!

Dinner from 8pm

Mushroom consommé soup, with marinated langoustine and a langoustine carpaccio, with black lentils

Fried duck foie gras with quince jam and sake

Flame-grilled scallops with sweet vanilla Jerusalem artichoke

Thick slice of matured beef with black truffle potato

Lemon yuzu and green melon sorbet

Crunchy Christmas log with chocolate and passionfruit

Sweet treats with coffee and tea

We can adapt the menu for any allergy or specific diet.

Some dishes might have a lot of success : if that happens, our Chef will offer a new suggestion.

_____

Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Jardin Secret is closed from November 4th to 24th and from January 13th to February 2nd.
jardinsecret@loucalen.com

3 or 4-course menu

FRIDAY TO TUESDAY
NOON & EVENING

58€ / 74€

excluding drinks

Express lunch
45 min

MONDAY, TUESDAY, FRIDAY
ONLY AT LUNCHTIME

excluding public holidays

45€

starter-main course or main course-dessert + water, tea or coffee

Lobster menu

EVERY MONDAY
12H - 14H

64€

excluding drinks

Having grown up on a small family farm in Alsace, Benoit developed a passion for both gardening and cuisine.

He then followed his vocation to the greatest kitchens in France under the direction of Paul Bocuse and Alain Ducasse, who went on to entrust Benoit with several of Ducasse’s prestigious restaurants in Provence and Monaco.

Seduced by the enchanting setting of Cotignac and Lou Calen’s exciting heritage, Benoit was content to return to the Var countryside and a newfound source of inspiration. Benoit enjoys working with local producers to ensure the highest quality cuisine. Benoit delights in combining flavours and textures to enhance simple yet significant seasonal ingredients.

Jardin Secret is dedicated to a well-researched ecological approach that prioritises short-circuit, zero-waste cuisine.

We are committed to working with carefully selected food producers in the region. Our menu includes fresh fruits and vegetables directly from our garden and greenhouse, as well as seasonal products from the Cotignac market. We offer a concise and generous menu that changes regularly, as well as themed meals and events such as concerts and other festivities.

The MICHELIN Green Star awarded in March 2023 attests to our commitment to eco-responsible gastronomy.

The Restaurant Engagé label (Motivated Restaurant) distinguishes restaurateurs that have taken a step towards an environmentally responsible approach.

The Jardin Secret restaurant is now recognised by the Culinary College of France for its action towards culinary diversity.

Benoit Witz meets Huguette Caren, marking the renaissance of the once renowned restaurant at Lou Calen.

Chef Benoit Witz was delighted to cook with Huguette Caren, esteemed former owner and chef of Lou Calen.

By sharing her precious recipes for which Lou Calen was famous, Huguette contributed towards restoring the heritage of this historic venue in Cotignac.

Upcoming events at Jardin Secret

Thursday November 28th

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a great start for the festive season, offering sharing moments and a friendly atmosphere. Chef Benoit Witz invites you to savour the traditional meal: turkey stuffed with chestnuts, Brussels sprouts and cranberry sauce. And for a sweet ending, try our unmissable pumpkin pie and pecan pie.

Monday, October 27th - Lunch

Lobster menu - 64€

Special seafood menu with lobster

Monday, October 27th - Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Tuesday, October 28th - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

Back from the market in Cotignac, chef Benoit Witz cooks up a surprise menu using fresh seasonal produce.

Friday, November 1st - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Saturday, November 2nd- Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Sunday, November 3rd - Lunch & Dinner

3-course menu - 58€

In the making process

Thursday, November 28th - Lunch & Dinner

Special Thanksgiving menu - 58€

Cream of mushroom soup, scallop quenelle, soy emulsion

Turkey stuffed with chestnuts, corn cake, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce

Pecan and pumpkin pie

Coffee brulot

Christmas Eve

Special Christmas Eve menu - 110€ (excluding drinks)

Aperitif under the tent at 7pm

Delicious treats and a complementary glass of champagne!

Dinner from 8pm

Mushroom consommé soup, with marinated langoustine and a langoustine carpaccio, with black lentils

Fried duck foie gras with quince jam and sake

Flame-grilled scallops with sweet vanilla Jerusalem artichoke

Thick slice of matured beef with black truffle potato

Lemon yuzu and green melon sorbet

Crunchy Christmas log with chocolate and passionfruit

Sweet treats with coffee and tea

We can adapt the menu for any allergy or specific diet.

Some dishes might have a lot of success : if that happens, our Chef will offer a new suggestion.

_____

Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Location : Jardin Secret restaurant

Service : from 7pm to 9:30pm

Cost : 58€ (excluding drinks)

Reservation : Booking is mandatory

Sunday December 15th

Cooking Black Truffle with Benoit Witz

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 to learn how to cook with black truffles.

Location: Aups, Jardin Secret

Schedule: 2pm to 6pm

Cost: 235€

Reservation : Booking is mandatory

From Dec. 24th to Jan. 1st

Festive Feasts

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 dishes enhanced by the delights of the Provencal region.

Location : Jardin Secret & The Bistrot

Dates : 24, 25, 26, 31 Dec. & 1st January

Cost : from 95€ to 150€.

Reservation : Booking is mandatory

flamme

Join us

Nestled in the heart Cotignac in Provence, Jardin Secret invites you to enjoy exceptional food in an extraordinary setting.

The Lou Calen estate is located an hour away from Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, and 45 minutes away from the Gorges du Verdon.

Jardin Secret restaurant

13 Rue de l'Araignée
83570 Cotignac

Jardin Secret restaurant is closed from November 4th to 24th.

The Bistrot is open during this period.